Sports
GAME PREVIEW: Aces Look to Punch Ticket to WNBA Finals Friday … – Las Vegas Aces
September 28, 2023
ARLINGTON, TEXAS (September 28, 2023)—The Las Vegas Aces are one win away from clinching their Semifinal series over the Dallas Wings and advancing to their third WNBA Finals in four years. Game 3 of the best-of-five series is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 29, at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas (6:30 pm PT on ESPN2).
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A’ja Wilson powered the Aces in the first 2 games of the series averaging 32.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg. and 3.00 bpg. The Aces also received 21.5 ppg from Kelsey Plum (who netted a total of 9 3-pointers), 18.0 ppg and 6.0 apg from Chelsea Gray, and 16.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg and 5.5 apg from Jackie Young.
The Aces and Wings are the two highest scoring and rebounding teams in the 2023 postseason. The Aces are No. 1 in both categories (91.8 ppg, 40.0 rpg) and Dallas is a close 2nd (90.5 ppg, 38.5 rpg). They also rank 1 and 2 in steals. The Wings hold a 9.5 spg to 9.0 spg edge over Las Vegas. In the 2 Semifinal games combined, each team made 19 of 47 (.404) from 3-point range and the Aces made 67 field goals to the Wings 64. The biggest separator in scoring has come at the free throw line where the Aces have made 35 of 38 (.921) and the Wings are 20 of 31 (.645).
The Aces and Wings benches scored the fewest points of any team over the course of the season, with the Aces scoring a low of 13.5 ppg and the Wings the second-lowest at 14.1 ppg. In the semis, however, Dallas averaged 19 ppg and Las Vegas 3.5 ppg off the bench.
The Wings also held a 45.5 rpg to 42.5 rpg edge on the glass, but the teams grabbed their lion’s share on different ends of the floor. The Aces averaged 28.5 to the Wings 19.0 defensive rebounds a game, and the Wings grabbed 15.5 to the Aces 9.0 off the offensive glass.,
Leading the Wings in scoring is Arike Ogunbowale, who averaged 18.0 ppg on 8 of 19 from 3-point range and dished out 5.0 apg over the first 2 games, while Natasha Howard added 15.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg and Satou Sabally rang in at 14.5 ppg and 5.5 apg.
A win advances the Aces to the WNBA Finals, which would tip-off Sunday, Oct. 8, at home in Michelob ULTRA Arena (12 pm PT), and where they would play the winner of the New York Liberty vs. Connecticut semifinal series, which is tied at 1 win apiece.
If Friday’s outcome is not favorable to the Aces, they will have 2 more chances to close out the series. If necessary, Game 4 will be played in Dallas on Oct. 1 and Game 5 will see the teams return to Las Vegas on Oct. 3.
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