Phoenix Mercury vs Las Vegas Aces Prediction, WNBA Betting Odds

Phoenix is navigating rocky waters as it gets through games with interim head coach Nikki Blue. The Aces are, well, aces. Leaders of the Western Conference by a comfortable margin, they’ve taken care of business with relative ease this season.

As such, the WNBA odds have the Las Vegas Aces as considerable -17.5 favourites. The total is currently set at 170.0.

Mercury vs Aces Betting Analysis

The clubs met on June 21, also in Vegas, when the Aces pummeled the Mercury 99-79. The contest’s outcome was never in doubt, to put it mildly.

It’s tough finding positives regarding Phoenix this season. Yes, they have one of the league’s stars in centre Brittney Griner, but not a lot has gone well, hence the recent head coach firing. One dim – very dim – bright spot is that they are slightly better against the spread then their outright win-loss tally suggests. At 6-12, it isn’t much to write home about, but they’ve surprised a few fans by keeping games close.

What makes this game even more challenging is that Vegas is perfect at home this season. Furthermore, Becky Hammon’s side has earned its 10-0 record at Michelob ULTRA Arena by swatting away the opposition like flies. The lone exception was a seven-point victory over Dallas the game before last. Of note, it’s much simpler betting on the Aces on the moneyline as opposed to the spread, as they’ve only tallied a 10-9 record ATS.

Phoenix Mercury

If anything, at least the Mercury enter Tuesday’s contest with some wind in their sails, having defeated the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday, 78-72.

As could be expected between two struggling sides, it was a bit of a slog at times with very low scoring. Two quarters – the first and third – finished 17-14 in favour of the Mercury. The trick for Phoenix on Sunday was, despite not shooting much (they took 63 shots), they made most of them count, going 47.6 per cent. The 40-28 advantage in the paint was most of the damage the Mercury needed to create to seal the win. Griner was her typical self – dunking included- scoring 29 points and getting 11 boards. She was heavily supported by Diana Taurasi’s 22 points, four rebounds, and five assists. Things got a bit intense late in the game when a 13-point lead shrank to three, but the hosts held on and enjoyed a rare win.

Las Vegas Aces

The club’s most recent challenge in Minnesota versus the Lynx exemplified what they’re all about. They won the game convincingly 113-89 and took care of every quarter to boot.

It can also be argued that the Lynx were pitted against the league leaders at the worst imaginable moment. Las Vegas was coming off a Friday night loss to Dallas, a close game that ended 80-78. Not only do the Aces rarely taste defeat, they probably doubled their efforts to get back in the win column and it showed.

Vegas was a sensational 59.7 per cent from the field. Even the Lynx’s brilliant 53.3 per cent firing from beyond the arc didn’t matter. Vegas’ defence hounded Minnesota all game long, resulting in a lot fewer long-range shots – the Lynx took 16 to the Aces’ 39. Kelsey Plum was possessed, scoring 40 points. It didn’t matter where the shot came from, it usually went it. Chelsea Gray played facilitator, leading the way with 10 assists.

WNBA Prediction: Who Will Win Mercury vs Aces?

Mercury 75-90 Aces