Former MVP Charles Lands in Seattle
This had taken on a life of its own, the bizarre circumstances leading to former (2012) WNBA Most Valuable Player Tina Charles engineering her release from the Phoenix Mercury after playing just 16 games. Charles then signed with the Seattle Storm, one of the league’s few teams with room under the cap.
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces were rolling along with the best record in the WNBA. Now, losing two of their last three games, Las Vegas sees both the Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun challenging the Aces for league’s best.
Vegas has the best record on the road in the WNBA betting Lines with a 6-1 mark, while Seattle is 7-4 at home.
Las Vegas (even-money) continues to be favored to win the WNBA title, according to the WNBA playoff odds. Washington has seen its championship odds rise from +1000 to +1200 over the last week.
Aces no longer dominant
There was a stretch earlier in the season when seven of eight Aces games were decided by more than 10 points.
It’s been a much different deal in recent contests. Only one of the eight games played by Vegas this month have had double-digit outcomes, with two of the last four determined by a single point. Las Vegas edged the woeful Minnesota Lynx, 96-95, before falling to the Washington Mystics, 87-86, in overtime.
After a 7-1 record in May, Las Vegas is just 5-3 in June, despite two of the top scorers in the league during the month. Kelsey Plum leads the way with a league-leading 23.9 points per game. She’s tied for the lead with 3.5 3-pointers per game, also in the top 10 in assists and steals.
A’ja Wilson is third in the WNBA in scoring in June, as she us contributing 20.5 points per game. She’s second with 9.3 rebounds per contest. The issue during the three June losses is not offense. Las Vegas has allowed 96 points per game in the losses, however, the opposition shooting 51.6% from the field.
Vegas failed to cover against their hometown odds in each of their last five. The last four games have all gone over the total.
Stars the norm on Storm
Seattle not only has the WNBA’s leading scorer as Breanna Stewart (22 points per game), Jewell Loyd is 11th at 16.6 ppg. Seattle will add Charles to the mix. She is ninth in the league with 17.3 points per contest.
🗣️🗣️🗣️ @tinacharles31 x #TakeCover pic.twitter.com/FC3ofhw207
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) June 28, 2022
Add in Sue Bird, the WNBA’s all-time leader in games played and assists, and Ezi Magbegor, who leads the league with 2.7 blocked shots per game.
Stewart, Loyd, Bird, Magbegor and Gabby Williams have started in every game they played in this season. The last time that Charles came off the bench was 2012, in her third season with the Connecticut Sun.
Seattle has won six of its last eight, so Charles is walking into a pretty good situation in the Northwest. The Storm have connected on nearly 40% of their 3-pointers during that stretch.
One area Charles can help is rebounding. Seattle averages 32.1 rebounds per game. with only Phoenix averaging fewer boards.
Something to consider for those who bet online. In five of Seattle’s last seven, it’s finished over the total, same with four of the Storm’s last six contests at home.
Aces vs Storm Game Information
- Game: Aces 14-4 (6-1 on the road); Storm 11-7 (7-4 at home)
- Location: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
- Day/Time: Wednesday June, 29, 10:00 p.m. ET
- Aces vs Storm Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Aces vs Storm Betting Lines
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
| Las Vegas Aces | -2 -110 | -135 | 166-110o | 84-115o 84-115u |
| Seattle Storm | +2 -110 | +115 | 166-110u | 82-115o 82-115u |
Aces vs Storm Prediction
If Charles does make her Seattle debut, there will be six former No. 1 overall picks in this game. Charles was the top pick in 2010 by Connecticut. Stewart and Loyd were selected by Seattle in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Las Vegas chose Plum, Wilson and Jackie Young with the No. 1 picks from 2017-19.
It will be a contrast in styles. Las Vegas leads the WNBA with an offensive rating of 107.5, while Seattle is second with a defensive rating of 96.0.
This has been a series of streaks. The Aces won three games in a row (2-0-1 against the spread) before Seattle won four in a row, covering in each of them. Las Vegas then rebounded, winning the last three meetings (covering and favored each time). The last eight games between the teams have seen six finish over. Both teams could be down a player.
Las Vegas just welcomed reserve guard Riquna Williams back after missing more than a month. She had three points in 12 minutes in a win over Los Angeles. Seattle is expected to be without reserve center Mercedes Russell.
Las Vegas is a tepid favorite on the road, and we give it a tepid endorsement.
