The Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces meet Wednesday in game 1 of the WNBA Playoffs First Round at the Michelob ULTRA Arena. The Phoenix Mercury have lost 5 of their last 7 games. The Las Vegas Aces are riding a 4-game winning streak.
The Phoenix Mercury are averaging 81.1 points on 42.9 percent shooting and allowing 84.1 points on 44.1 percent shooting. Skylar Diggins-Smith is averaging 19.7 points and 4 rebounds, while Tina Charles is averaging 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds. Diana Taurasi is the third double-digit scorer and Diamond DeShields is dishing 2.2 assists. The Phoenix Mercury are shooting 32.9 percent from beyond the arc and 81.7 percent from the free throw line. The Phoenix Mercury are allowing 36.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.2 rebounds per game.
The Las Vegas Aces are averaging 90.4 points on 46 percent shooting and allowing 84.1 points on 43.7 percent shooting. Kelsey Plum is averaging 20.2 points and 2.7 rebounds, while A’ja Wilson is averaging 19.5 points and 9.4 rebounds. Jackie Young is the third double-digit scorer and Chelsea Gray is grabbing 3.2 rebounds. The Las Vegas Aces are shooting 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and 82.3 percent from the free throw line. The Las Vegas Aces are allowing 35.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 35.4 rebounds per game.
The Mercury are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 road games and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Aces are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 home games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The under is 5-2 in Mercury last 7 overall. The under is 9-4 in Aces last 13 overall. The Mercury are 9-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Las Vegas and 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
I want to take a shot with the Phoenix Mercury and the boatload of free points, but they're just so banged up to back here. Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith have already been ruled out. Kia Nurse and Kaela Davis are considered questionable with knee and ankle injuries. The Mercury competing with so many key players out or banged up is simply asking a lot. The Las Vegas Aces are the best team in the league and have probably the best offense. Thick line, but it's for a reason. The Mercury are limping into the postseason.
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
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