Las Vegas Aces can advance to the WNBA semifinals Tuesday night when they visit Indiana Fever for Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
The defending WNBA champion Aces visit the Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 6:30 p.m. ET after taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series with a convincing 102-85 victory Sunday in Las Vegas.
A'ja Wilson, named the WNBA MVP for the third consecutive year earlier in the day, dominated the opener with 38 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks while shooting 15-of-19 from the field.
Jackie Young added 21 points and 10 assists and Chelsea Gray finished with 14 points and eight assists.
Las Vegas took control before halftime. The game was tied midway through the second quarter before the Aces closed the half with a 26-11 run to take a 62-47 lead into the locker room. They eventually led by as many as 27.
Indiana committed 17 turnovers that Las Vegas turned into 28 points.
Kelsey Mitchell, the league's second-highest leading scorer behind Wilson at 24.7 points per game, finished with 12 on 4-of-16 shooting.
Aliyah Boston led the way for the Fever with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Caitlin Clark had 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting to go along with 10 assists.
The Fever now return home needing a victory to extend their season and force a deciding Game 3 Thursday in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever betting picks and predictions
Las Vegas Aces +1.5 (-115)
Indiana enters Game 2 as a slight home favorite despite what happened in Sunday's series opener.
That creates an appealing opportunity to back the Aces, who play at a different level in the postseason. That’s why they've won three of the past four league titles.
Las Vegas entered the playoffs as the WNBA's hottest team after winning its final seven regular-season games. Sunday's victory extended that streak to eight and demonstrated why the Aces remain one of the league's most dangerous postseason teams.
Wilson presents the biggest problem for Indiana.
The Fever had no answer for the Las Vegas star in Game 1 as Wilson scored 22 points in the first half alone and finished with 38 while missing only four of her 19 shots.
Her impact wasn't limited to scoring. Wilson's 16 rebounds helped Las Vegas win the battle on the glass 31-24, and her four blocks made things difficult for Indiana around the rim.
The Aces also received plenty of help. Young had a double-double, Gray nearly did as well and Jewell Loyd added 10 points off the bench.
Indiana's biggest issue was taking care of the basketball. The Fever's 17 turnovers led directly to 28 Las Vegas points.
Home court should help Indiana. The Fever went 17-5 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the regular season and won the season series with the Aces.
However, Las Vegas won the only matchup in Indianapolis this season, 86-84 in overtime last month, and Sunday's result is difficult to ignore.
Las Vegas scored 102 points, shot 59% (38-for-67) from the field and 47% (9-for-19) from long range. The Aces controlled the game after the opening quarter and now they're getting points against a team they just defeated by 17.
Take Las Vegas plus the 1.5 points.
Under 186.5 points (-110)
Game 1 finished with 187 combined points, but the final score doesn't necessarily tell the full story.
Las Vegas produced an exceptional offensive performance, scoring 62 points in the first half and getting 38 points from Wilson on 15-of-19 shooting.
Replicating that level of efficiency on the road could be difficult.
Indiana also has an obvious defensive adjustment to make after allowing Las Vegas to score 28 points off turnovers. Simply taking better care of the basketball should eliminate some of the easy transition opportunities that helped the Aces reach 102.
The Fever should also play with greater urgency defensively. It needs to find a way to make Wilson work harder for her points. She shot 78.9% from the field Sunday, including 9-of-11 in the first half.
Las Vegas can also win without turning the game into a shootout.
The Aces possess one of the WNBA's best interior defenders in Wilson and held Indiana to 38 second-half points Sunday after the Fever scored 47 before halftime.
Game 2 also carries a different dynamic. Indiana faces elimination, while Las Vegas can close the series and avoid returning home for a deciding Game 3.
That could produce a more physical, deliberate game than Sunday's opener.
The Fever should be better defensively at home, but slowing down Las Vegas may also require a slower pace and limiting the transition opportunities that fueled the Aces in Game 1.
Look for the scoring to come down in Game 2.
Read more betting picks and predictions for the WNBA on site.
Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever odds
Las Vegas Aces | -105 |
Indiana Fever | -115 |
Spread | IND Fever -1.5 |
Total Points | O/U 183.5 |
Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever player props
Player points
A'ja Wilson (LA Aces) | O/U 28.5 |
Jackie Young (LA Aces) | O/U 20.5 |
Chelsea Gray (LA Aces) | O/U 12.5 |
Kelsey Mitchell (IND Fever) | O/U 24.5 |
Caitlin Clark (IND Fever) | O/U 22.5 |
Aliyah Boston (IND Fever) | O/U 15.5 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
