MINNESOTA LYNX VS. LAS VEGAS ACES EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — August 23, 2024

MINNESOTA LYNX VS. LAS VEGAS ACES EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — August 23, 2024 — Greetings, basketball fans. Welcome back to our WNBA coverage here at Godzilla Wins. One of the games on tap from today’s slate features the Minnesota Lynx (21-8 SU, 18-11 ATS) hosting the Las Vegas Aces (17-10 SU, 10-17 ATS).

Here is a look at which squad has the edge going into this matchup and why.

Tipoff

When: Friday, August 23, 2024 @ 9:30 PM ET

Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

TV: ION

Minnesota Lynx vs. Las Vegas Aces Odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Minnesota Lynx vs. Las Vegas Aces – In-Season Stats & Betting Trends

Following a two-game losing skid that dropped them to 16-8, the Lynx have responded with four consecutive victories, including a 98-87 win over the Aces on Wednesday night. In that contest, all five of the starters scored in double figures. Napheesa Collier led the way with 23 points, seven boards, and four dimes. She was 9-of-15 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc.  Courtney Williams added 22 points and 10 assists for a Lynx squad that had it going all night offensively.

They posted season highs in overall shooting percentage (59.4), three-point shooting (.579), and total field goals made (38). This victory marked the second straight win over the defending champs this season. Minnesota hopes to continue its success when the teams meet for the final time on Friday night.

On the other hand, although the Aces have won 11 of their previous 15 games following a 6-6 start, they are trailing the Lynx by 2.5 games in the Western Conference. In that 11-point defeat on Wednesday night, Jackie Young was the ringleader, tallying 26 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Kelsey Plum added 20 and five rebounds.  MVP front-runner A’ja Wilson contributed 15 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, ending her run of eight straight games in which she produced at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The good news for the Aces is that the road team has won each of the three previous meetings between these teams. Will that trend continue tonight, or will the Lynx extend their winning streak to four games?

Now that we have set the stage for this matchup, let’s examine the betting trends for both teams.

The Spread

Although the Aces have dropped two of their three meetings against the Lynx this season, they enter this matchup as a 2.5-point favorite (per OddShark.com). Here is a look at how both teams have fared against the spread this season.

• The Lynx are 3-0-1 in their last five outings overall.
• In its last five home games, Minnesota is 1-4 against the spread.
• Meanwhile, the Aces are 5-2 in their last seven matchups against the Lynx.
• Las Vegas is 4-1 ATS in its last five road contests against Minnesota.

Prediction: Las Vegas Aces (-2.5)

Over/Under

The projected over/under total for this matchup opened at 168.5 points (per OddsShark.com). Here is why going with the “under” is the smart choice.

• The total has gone UNDER eight times in the Lynx’s last 11 games overall.
• The UNDER total is 7-3 in Minnesota’s last 10 matchups against Western Conference opponents.
• The total has gone UNDER five times in the Aces’ last seven outings.
• The UNDER total has prevailed four times in Las Vegas’s last five road games.

Prediction: UNDER 165 points

Player Prop Bet

Napheesa Collier leads the Lynx in scoring, rebounding,  and steals. Given that fact, she is the key player to watch for the home team. She currently has +105 odds of scoring more than 19.5 points and -135 odds of finishing with less than 19.5 points (via Bet365).

Here is a look at how her numbers stack up against the projected points total for this matchup.

• During the season, Collier has been putting up 20.4 points per game.
• In the previous three matchups against the Aces this season, Collier has averaged 18.3 points and 8.7 rebounds on slash lines of .432/.385/.923.
• Collier has played against Western Conference teams 14 times this season, averaging 21.7 points per outing in those contests.
• In 12 home games, the Minnesota Lynx forward averages 19.2 points per game.
• Over her last 10 outings, Collier has averaged 19.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per contest, exceeding the points total for this matchup four times during that stretch.

Prediction: Napheesa Collier OVER 19.5 points