Featured Game: Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces (-18 -109/159)
Venue: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas)
Time: 10:00 pm ET / 7:00 pm PT
Television: WNBA League Pass, WCIU (Chicago), KMCC (Las Vegas)
It is easy to understand why the Aces are such huge favorites against the Sky. No team has been hotter than the Aces, who have won 14 in a row and 17 of their last 20.
Chicago has lost 11 of its last 13 games. The Sky packed in their season a long time ago. In my view, Chicago is the worst run organization in the league. Angel Reese was correct when she said Chicago needs to get better players. The team was wrong to suspend her for being honest. At the very least they should have appreciated and respected her competitiveness and will to win. Not punish her.
Reese is Chicago’s best player. Her presence makes a difference both physically and emotionally. Reese did not play when the teams met two days ago also in Las Vegas. The Aces easily won, but did not cover a 17-point spread winning, 80-66.
Now the point spread is higher and Reese is eligible to play if healthy. She has been bothered by a bad back. I am taking this many points and it would be a nice bonus if Reese were to suit up. But even if she doesn’t, I still like the Sky to stay within this large spread just like they did on Sunday when they lost by 14 points.
There is no reason for the Aces to go all out in this game. They have clinched home court advantage in the first round and cannot fall below the No. 4 seed.
A’ja Wilson is going to win MVP honors again. So the Aces don’t have to play her a lot of minutes to pad her stats. Napheesa Collier is Wilson’s only serious competition for MVP and she is sitting out Minnesota’s game today, which tells me Collier and her coach, the combative Cheryl Reeve, are conceding MVP honors to Wilson.
The Aces can’t be blamed for not taking this game very seriously. They also are going to face distractions as this is Fan Appreciation Night, with a series of pregame activities planned. So there will be a festive atmosphere.
Las Vegas coach Becky Hammond also might be reluctant to run up a big score knowing her former assistant coach, Tyler Marsh, is Chicago’s head coach and his job is very much at risk. Marsh was a popular figure when he was with the Aces last year.
Pick: Chicago Sky +18 -110
