Aces Aim to Advance Past Fever in WNBA Playoff Decider
Las Vegas is favored in Game 3, but Indiana's regular-season success in Vegas and momentum from Game 2 present a challenge.
The Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever will play a decisive Game 3 to determine who advances to the WNBA semifinals. The reigning champion Aces are favored to win at home.
The series is tied 1-1 after the Fever evened it with a 99-89 victory in Game 2 on Tuesday night. The Aces enter Game 3 as 3.5-point favorites. The betting line is -168 on the moneyline for Las Vegas to win.
The Fever have demonstrated success against the Aces on their home court, winning two regular-season games in Las Vegas by double-digit margins in early July. However, neither A'ja Wilson nor Caitlin Clark played in both of those contests, and the postseason brings a different level of intensity.
Despite the Fever's momentum and their previous success in Las Vegas, the Aces are expected to advance. While Indiana's backcourt, led by Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, has been potent, the matchup in the paint between Aliyah Boston and Wilson will be critical.
Wilson, a four-time MVP and three-time champion, is coming off a notable exchange with a fan. In past elimination games during the Aces' championship run last season, Wilson averaged 36.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, shooting efficiently from the field, at the free-throw line, and from three-point range. She also averaged 3.5 steals and 3 blocks per game in those contests.
Bookmakers have set Wilson's points prop at 27.5, with a prediction favoring the over. Additionally, the Aces have won the first quarter in both games of the series, suggesting a potential bet on Las Vegas to win the first quarter.
Ultimately, while the Fever have the potential to overcome the odds, the Aces, led by Wilson, possess a history of finding ways to win in critical situations.