Mystics vs Aces Picks and Odds – August 15
- The Washington Mystics will try to avenge August 5 loss to the Las Vegas Aces
- The Aces have won their last six games, while the Mystics have lost their last six games
- Read below for odds, analysis and betting prediction for the game below
Approaching the halfway point to an abbreviated 2020 WNBA season, the defending champion-Washington Mystics are scrambling to make the playoffs.
Riding a six-game losing skid, the Mystics will try to break their streak and avenge a recent loss to the red-hot Las Vegas Aces on Saturday, August 15 at 12pm ET.
Washington Mystics vs Las Vegas Aces Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Mystics | +10.5 (-105) | +410 | O162.5 (-110) |
| Las Vegas Aces | -10.5 (-115) | -550 | U 162.5 (-110) |
Odds taken August 15
The Washington Mystics
After a 3-0 start that included a win over the Seattle Storm — the only loss on their resume this season — Washington has dropped six straight and are barely hanging on to a playoff spot.
They’re currently in a three-way tie for the final seed with both Dallas and Connecticut at 3-6.
The team’s latest loss ended in a 17-point drubbing at the hands of the Los Angeles Sparks, losing 81-64.
20 points and 8-11 from the field. Efficiency for Ariel Atkins making her last night's @wglenergy Player of the Game. pic.twitter.com/kZIzGm96Ps
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) August 14, 2020
Perhaps no WNBA champion has faced as much roster upheaval as this year’s Mystics, who return just one starter in Ariel Atkins. The big departure is league and Finals MVP Elena Della Donne, who sat out this season due to her safety surrounding COVID-19, as she suffers from Lyme disease.
Offseason acquisition Tina Charles and LaToya Sanders both opted out for health reasons, while Natasha Cloud took the year off to focus on social justice issues in her community. It has forced head coach Mike Thibault to adjust his starting lineup, with little success.
Their run of losses was lowlighted with an 8-point loss to the New York Liberty, a team who entered the contest losers of five straight. It’s also still their lone win of the season.
The Las Vegas Aces
After bowing out to Washington in the conference finals a year ago, the Aces are cruising so far this shortened season. They’ve won six straight to move to 7-2 and sit alone as the second seed in the WNBA. Not surprisingly, they are one of the favorites in the WNBA 2020 Championship odds.
They’ve been able to succeed despite numerous player setbacks, including a season-ending Achilles injury to Kelsey Plum, and MVP candidate Liz Cambage opting to sit out the year due to COVID health concerns.
🎥 Highlights 🎥
On a hot streak! 6 wins in a row! @_ajawilson22: 23 PTS // 8 REB // 4 BLK@angel_35: 21 PTS // 5 REB // 3 STL@kaymac_2123: 17 PTS // 3 REB // 5 STL@JackieYoung3: 16 PTS // 5 REB#ALLIN ♦️♠️ pic.twitter.com/992CbXG0kD
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 14, 2020
They’ve been doing it with defense. In their last win against Minnesota, the Aces held the Lynx to 43.9% shooting from the field, and held them to 7-for-22 from three-point range (31.7%).
Offensively Vegas forward and MVP candidate A’ja Wilson finished with 23 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots against the Lynx. Kayla McBride and Jackie Young contributed 17 and 16 points, respectively.
Best Bet
During the 2019 season, the Washington topped Las Vegas in the playoffs, winning their series 3-1 en route to the WNBA title. That seems like forever for Washington.
They’re fading in a battle for their playoff lives, and the Aces aren’t going to make it easy on them. Las Vegas is the top scoring team in the W, averaging 88 points a game. They’re also second in field goal percentage shooting at 48.4% a contest.
Defensively, they are the only team in the league to hold their opposition to under 29% from beyond the arc, and they get it done on the glass, leading the league at 37.8 per game. No other team in averages even 35 boards a contest.
These two met August 5, and the Aces laid the clamps down in an 83-77 win. Wilson and Danielle Robinson each had 20 points in the win. They held Washington to 41.8% from the field and 30.8% from deep, while enjoying a +19 advantage at the free throw line, outscoring them 23-7.
Don’t expect much to change in the rematch.
The Pick: Aces (-550)
An experienced sports journalist, Martha K has written feature stories for CBC and Yahoo Sports, hosted Sauga 960 AM, worked with ESPN production and covered a variety of major events, including the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. She is a former Division 1 tennis athlete.
