Connecticut Sun vs. Las Vegas Aces Prediction and Odds - 5/23/21
There's an interconference clash on the parquet floor in the Silver State in WNBA action. The Connecticut Sun are on the road as they make the trip to face the Las Vegas Aces Sunday evening. Connecticut remained unbeaten on the season as they dropped Phoenix 84-67 on the road Friday night in their most recent game. Las Vegas cruised to an easy 97-69 home win over Los Angeles Friday night in their last contest. The Aces took both regular-season meetings last season, including a 93-78 win as the “road” team in the bubble on September 3, 2020, in the most recent matchup. Las Vegas beat Connecticut in five games in the WNBA semifinals last season as well.
Connecticut Seeking 5-0 Start
Connecticut beat Phoenix for the second time this season as they took them down on the road after beating them at home the first time. The Sun entered Saturday 4-0 on the year and atop the Eastern Conference standings by one game over Chicago and New York. Against Phoenix, Connecticut jumped to an 8-0 lead just over two minutes into the game and never looked back. The Sun were up eight after the opening quarter and didn’t let the Mercury closer than five the rest of the way. Connecticut was up as many as 22 in the contest en route to the one-sided triumph. The Sun shot 44.7% from the field, including 10 of 26 from three-point range, and dominated the glass by a 48-24 margin. Jonquel Jones led four Connecticut players in double figures with 16 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
The Sun is fourth in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 84 points per game so far this season. Connecticut is third in the league in rebounding (40.5 boards a night) while they stand third by dishing out 20.8 assists a game on the year. The Sun have been good defensively as they are second in scoring defense by allowing an average of 69.8 points per game. DeWanna Bonner leads the Sun with 18.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists a game. Jonquel Jones (18.3 points, 10.8 rebounds), Natasha Hiedeman (14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists) and and Brionna Jones (10.3 points, six rebounds) each average in double figures. Jasmine Thomas (11.5 points), Briann January, Beatrice Mompreier, Stephanie Jones, DiJonai Carrington and Kaila Charles are important pieces for coach Curt Miller. Connecticut is fourth in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 46.7% as a team. The Sun is third in three-pointers per game (9.5) and second in three-point percentage (43.7%) on the year. Connecticut has sputtered at the charity stripe as they convert on 71.9% of their attempts, which is 10th in the league. January suffered an ankle injury May 19 against Indiana and missed Friday’s game: she’s questionable for this contest.
Las Vegas Aces Shoot for Third Straight Win
Las Vegas earned a second straight win after starting the season with a loss as they put the boots to the Sparks at home Friday night. The Aces are 2-1 on the year and entered Saturday tied with Seattle and Dallas, though they had played only one game, for the top spot in the West. Las Vegas used a 16-2 run spanning the end of the first and beginning of the second quarter to take a 32-20 lead. The Aces didn’t let the Sparks closer than 10 after that while leading by as many as 29 en route to the one-sided victory. Las Vegas shot 53.2% from the field, including four of 14 from three-point range, drained 27 of 32 free throws, and won the rebounding battle 44-28. Chelsea Gray scored 18 points to lead the Aces in the victory as one of five players in double figures.
The Aces come into this contest near the top of the pack in scoring offense, ranking second with 92 points per game. Las Vegas is fifth in the league in rebounding (38.7 boards a game) and stand first in the league in assists by handing out 21.3 dimes per contest. The Aces have to improve on the defensive end of the floor as they are 8th in the league in scoring defense by allowing 82 points a game. A’ja Wilson leads the Aces with 19.7 points, eight rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Liz Cambage (15 points, 7.7 rebounds), Jackie Young (16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds) and Kelsey Plum (10.5 points) are all solid secondary options on the offensive end. Coach Bill Laimbeer also can call on Chelsea Gray (12 points, 5.3 assists), Dearica Hamby (10.7 points, 8.3 boards), Riquna Williams, Jisu Park, Emma Cannon and Destiny Slocum to contribute on both ends of the floor. Las Vegas is second in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 49.8% from the field as a team this season. The Aces are tied for 10th in the league in threes per game (4.3) and sixth in three-point shooting at 31.7% on the year. Las Vegas is currently second in free throw shooting at 85.5% on the season.
Pick: Las Vegas Aces -5.5
This is a marquee matchup given the fact that the Sun remains unbeaten on the year while the Aces have won two straight after a season-opening loss. Las Vegas did beat Seattle on the road, getting a modicum of revenge for being swept in the WNBA Finals last season, before dusting the Sparks. While Connecticut is unbeaten and has beaten Phoenix twice, you have to wonder if they can keep that momentum going. The clash of Bonner/Jones and Wilson/Cambage on the boards is going to be an epic battle. Both teams have capable secondary scoring options and at the end of the day, Las Vegas has a little rest advantage with having played Friday at home as opposed to Connecticut playing in Phoenix before flying in for this contest. Give the Aces and their offensive attack the edge at home.
Total: Over 163
Connecticut can shoot the ball well, especially from the outside, which is where they have a bit of an advantage over the Aces. Meanwhile, Las Vegas is a team that doesn’t leave points on the floor at the charity stripe as they are second in the league in that category. Despite their offensive talent, the Sun’s defensive work has kept three of their four games under the mark. With that said, Connecticut hasn’t dealt with a team like Las Vegas, who likes to run and can knock down shots. The Aces have gone over in two of their three games with the third contest falling two points short of the mark. It might be tough for the Sun to impose their will defensively against the Aces, which is why this one winds up edging over the mark.
