Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces
September 30, 2021 10:00 pm EDT
The Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury face off on Thursday in a WNBA playoff showdown at MIchelob Ultra Arena. In the first game of this series, it was the Las Vegas Aces that won 96-90. Phoenix tried to make a little comeback in the 4th quarter, but it wasn’t enough.
Brittney Griner was the best player for the Phoenix Mercury playing 36 minutes finishing with 24 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. For the Aces it was Riquna Williams who paced the team putting up 26 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Kelsey Plum finished with 35 points, three assists, and one rebound.
The Las Vegas Aces have won five games in a row and each of the last two games has been close. The offense has also been strong, scoring at least 96 points in each of their last three games. The Aces are averaging at least 89.3 points per game while their defense is giving up 80.3 points. A’ja Wilson has been the best player for Las Vegas averaging 18.3 points while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 87.6 percent from the free-throw line. Seven different players are averaging at least ten points.
The Mercury had won two games in a row in the playoffs to get to this series against the Aces. Phoenix beat the New York Liberty by a point in the first game, and in the second game against Seattle it took overtime, but they won by five points. Phoenix is averaging 82.1 points per game while their defense is giving up 79.5 points per game. Griner has been the best player for Phoenix averaging 20.5 points while shooting 57.5 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from deep.
I expect very little defense to be played again in this game, and both teams are going to run up the score. I wouldn’t be shocked if both teams reached 100 points, and this game is going to go over the total.
