Las Vegas Aces vs. Washington Mystics WNBA preview and prediction

After ending the WNBA’s longest current winning streak, Washington looks to knock off the defending champions as well. The Mystics host the Las Vegas Aces Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET. This is both teams’ final contest before the All-Star break.

Washington split its weekend series in California with Golden State, defeating the surging Valkyries on Monday, 90-82, after losing to them Saturday night. Monday’s win ended Golden State’s nine-game win streak. All-Stars Kiki Iriafen (23 points, 12 rebounds) and Sonia Citron (17 points, six assists) led the way.

The Aces won their fourth straight road game, triumphing over shorthanded Toronto on Monday, 109-83. All-Stars A’ja Wilson (26 points, six rebounds) and Jackie Young (season-high 24 points, 12 assists) paced Las Vegas, who improved to 11-2 on the road this season.

This is the first of three games between the teams this season, all coming in the next 22 days. The Aces and Mystics split four contests last year. 

Las Vegas Aces vs. Washington Mystics WNBA Odds and Betting Trends

Las Vegas is a -6.5 road favourite on the WNBA odds with a -230 moneyline, while the Mystics are at +200. 

The Aces are 6-3 against the spread in their last nine road games, while Washington is 1-4 ATS in their last five home contests.  

The over/under for this contest is just 164.5. Las Vegas has played to the Over in six of nine games. The Mystics, who are 14th in scoring offence and second in scoring defence, have understandably played to the Under in eight of 11. 

Las Vegas Aces

Wilson, a four-time league MVP, was just named to her eighth straight All-Star game. She leads the league in scoring (25.6 ppg) and blocks (2.0 BLK), and is fourth with 9.6 rebounds per game.

Young, an All-Star for the fifth year in a row, is second on the team with 16.4 points. Her 6.8 assists per game are second on Las Vegas behind Chelsea Gray (7.4 AST) and fifth in the league.

The Aces are tied with Minnesota for the WNBA’s best road record. Both of their losses came at Dallas. 

Washington Mystics

Shakira Austin wasn’t named an All-Star, but she easily could have been. She had 15 points and 15 rebounds Monday against Golden State. She is third in the league with 9.7 rebounds per game, and fifth in the league with 1.4 blocks per game. 

Austin’s 14.5 points per game place her third behind Citron (17 ppg) and Iriafen (14.9 ppg, 9.2 REB), giving Washington a talented and dependable trio as it prepares for its playoff run after the break.

Georgia Amoore, who had nine points and a season-high eight assists on Monday, and Michaela Onyenwere, who had 12 points and is averaging 10.1 points per season, provide the team with more depth in their postseason pursuit.

WNBA Prediction: Who will win Aces vs. Mystics?

This should be an interesting result with several players possibly thinking about the five-day break, and the four All-Stars perhaps focused on their trip to Chicago this weekend.

Washington plays great defence, but the Aces have dealt with plenty of top defenders over the years. There is no reason to think that Wilson, Young, Gray, and company will let up on their road dominance.

Take Las Vegas to win and cover, 86-79.