WNBA Semifinal Game 2: Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty

The Las Vegas Aces will try to even the series up at a game apiece when they take on the New York Liberty in Game 2 of their best-of-five semifinal series at the Barclays Center Tuesday. After winning Game 1 by ten, 87-77, the Liberty can put the Aces on the verge of elimination when the series heads to Sin City for Game 3.

But if the Aces can steal a win in New York, they’ll have a chance to close out the series at home in Vegas.

Aces vs. Liberty Betting Odds for Tuesday, October 1

The Liberty have been on a mission throughout the season—to get back to the WNBA Finals and win the franchise’s first championship. Earning the No. 1 seed was a big step in that direction, as was sweeping the Dream in Round 1 and beating the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the semifinals Sunday night.

Vegas is, of course, on a mission of its own. If they can make it back to the Finals and win for a third consecutive season, they could go down as one of the greatest WNBA teams of all time. Here is the betting line for tonight’s Aces vs. Liberty game:

Here is the betting line for Game 2 of the WNBA Semifinals, Aces vs. Liberty.

The following odds are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook, where new users can get $200 in bonus bets by placing a $5 wager.

Aces vs. Liberty Preview

New York was arguably the toughest team to play at home this season (16-4 during regular season). But Vegas is one the better road teams in the league, having gone 14-6 away from home this season; they won more games on the road (14) than at home (13).

The Aces clinched the championship in New York last year and have won in five of their last ten trips to the Big Apple. But New York is 4-1 in their last five home games against the Aces.

Aces Preview

Vegas was never really in the game on Sunday. The Liberty took a ten-point lead into the half in Game 1, but then fell behind by as much as 22 points. At 0-1, it is just the second time the Aces have trailed in a playoff series in three seasons.

Kelsey Plum led the way in Game 1 with 24 points; A’ja Wilson chipped in 21. While Plum’s performance was something they needed, they could have used a standard night from Wilson instead of the 21-point, 6-rebound performance they got.

Wilson averaged just under 27 ppg this season and close to 12 rebounds a game. So, while 21 and 6 would be a solid addition to the stat sheet for most players, it’s a substandard night for Wilson.

But even if Wilson heats back up and Plum remains red hot, the Aces will need to improve another aspect of their game: perimeter defense. New York was 8-19 from three-point range in Game 1. However, it would not be shocking to see them take additional shots in Game 2.

The Liberty scored 35.5% of their points from behind the arc during the regular season. However, Vegas has struggled with defending on the perimeter this season (opponents hit 35% of threes vs. the Aces, ninth best).

Liberty Preview

For New York, the game plan for Game 2 is clear—do what they did in Game 1. Take advantage of the Ace’s poor perimeter defense, defend A’ja Wilson hard and make her work for every point she gets (all but two shots were contested). Use their size to dominate the boards (31 to 22) and create some open shots (50% from the floor).

The Liberty got just what they needed from their star players in Game 1. Stewart led the way with 34 points, followed by Ionescu with 21 points (3-6 from three-point range). Jonquel Jones chipped in a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

It will, of course, not be as easy as just “doing what they did in Game 1.” The Aces are bound to make some adjustments, and Wilson was named MVP for a reason. However, the Liberty did sweep the Aces this season (3-0).\

Aces vs. Liberty Pick

• My Pick: Liberty -3.5 at FanDuel

As nice as it would be to say the Aces will bounce back and tie the series up at a game apiece, don’t count on it happening. The Aces have relied somewhat on A’ja Wilson to put on a show from one game to the next. While it was a solid strategy overall, it didn’t always work.

With New York devising a defense that can at least slow Wilson down, the Vegas defense has to save the day. That’s not going to happen.

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Aces vs. Liberty Best Prop Bets and Odds

A’ja Wilson, O/U 23.5 Points at -110/-118 at FanDuel

Wilson has been somewhat limited in the playoffs with an average of 22 ppg, well below her season average. But with the threat of a 0-2 hole looming, Wilson is too good not to find a way to score some more points for her team. She had 21 in Game 1 but will find a way to score at least three more.

Take the OVER.

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Kelsey Plum, O/U 17.5 Points at -120/-108 at FanDuel

Plum was able to take advantage of the Liberty defense being focused on Wilson in Game 1 and scored 24 points. It would not be shocking to see a similar scenario unfold in Game 2. Take the OVER.

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Breanna Stewart, O/U 21.5 Points at -108/-120 at FanDuel

Stewart has been a little all over the place for the last month scoring as few as 11 points against a terrible Dallas defense (Sept. 12) and a high of 38 (vs. Minnesota, Sept. 15). In three playoff games she scored 20, 13, and 34 points. She sounds more like someone to pass on than bet; too erratic.

But she knows how close a return to the Finals is and will be as focused and intense as ever. She’ll clear 21.5 before the fourth quarter.

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How to Watch Aces vs. Liberty

• Location: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY

• Game Time & Date: 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 1

• Coverage: ESPN2