PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's WNBA Tuesday Totals Crusher - 21-11 WNBA Run
(WNBA) Connecticut vs. Las Vegas,
Total: 163.00 | -104.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 163.00 | -104.00 Over
Result: Loss
What are the ramifications from a totals standpoint following the Aces' 67-64 Game 1 victory against the Sun in the WNBA Finals?
We have the lowest total on an Aces game all season. All three regular season matchups between these teams finished with a total above this number. The Sun and Aces averaged 181.3 points during their three regular season matchups.
So was the meager 131 combined points in Saturday's game an outlier, or indicative of the kind of low-scoring game we will get today?
Game 1 was a feeling out process. The Sun emphasized a physical, defensive style meant to slow and disrupt the Aces, who love to push pace. It worked. Yet the Sun still lost.
Both teams shot poorly from the floor. The Sun were held to 37.8 percent from the floor, while the Aces made fewer than 40 percent of their field goals.
I see a more loose game today. The Aces were the No. 1 scoring team in the WNBA averaging 90.4 points. However, they also gave up the fourth-most points in the 12-team league. The Sun can take advantage of that with their height advantage. Connecticut was the No. 3 scoring team averaging 85.8 points. The Sun, though, were below average in defensive field goal percentage.
Both teams are due to shoot better, especially Aces All-Star guard Kelsey Plum, who missed eight of nine shots from the floor in Game 1. Plum was cold in the Aces' semifinal series against the Storm, too. But the shots and looks were there for her. She's overdue for a big performance.
We have the lowest total on an Aces game all season. All three regular season matchups between these teams finished with a total above this number. The Sun and Aces averaged 181.3 points during their three regular season matchups.
So was the meager 131 combined points in Saturday's game an outlier, or indicative of the kind of low-scoring game we will get today?
Game 1 was a feeling out process. The Sun emphasized a physical, defensive style meant to slow and disrupt the Aces, who love to push pace. It worked. Yet the Sun still lost.
Both teams shot poorly from the floor. The Sun were held to 37.8 percent from the floor, while the Aces made fewer than 40 percent of their field goals.
I see a more loose game today. The Aces were the No. 1 scoring team in the WNBA averaging 90.4 points. However, they also gave up the fourth-most points in the 12-team league. The Sun can take advantage of that with their height advantage. Connecticut was the No. 3 scoring team averaging 85.8 points. The Sun, though, were below average in defensive field goal percentage.
Both teams are due to shoot better, especially Aces All-Star guard Kelsey Plum, who missed eight of nine shots from the floor in Game 1. Plum was cold in the Aces' semifinal series against the Storm, too. But the shots and looks were there for her. She's overdue for a big performance.