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The Las Vegas Aces host the LA Sparks at the Michelob Ultra Arena on Saturday (May. 18). The defending champions opened their season with an 89-80 win over the Phoenix Mercury at home and will look to add another W in the column against a rebuilding Sparks outfit.
LA lost the first game to the Atlanta Dream going down 92-81 and will play their first away game of the season. They enter as the underdogs against a well-rounded Aces unit that saw their superstars A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum pick up from where they left off.
The Sparks were led by Kia Nurse and Dearica Hamby in their first game, with rookie Cameron Brink recording 11 points. Veteran Layshia Clarendon had her first career triple-double on the night after having 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, but her efforts weren't enough to get past Atlanta. Ahead of the matchup, Las Vegas leads LA 39-38 in 77 regular season clashes.
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LA Sparks vs Las Vegas Aces: Preview, predicted starting lineup, odds, and prediction
The Sparks vs Aces skirmish tips off at 3 pm ET. The game will be televised live on ABC. Fans can also live stream the game on FUBO. Here's a quick look at the odds ahead of the marquee clash.
Spread: Sparks +19, Aces -19
Moneyline: Sparks +1400, Aces -3734
Total (o/u): Sparks o166.5, Aces u166.5
LA Sparks vs Las Vegas Aces preview
The Aces are expected to win this clash primarily due to their dominance on both ends of the floor. They play with pace and are aggressive on the offensive, while their pesky defense plays a key role in breaking down the rhythm of their opponents.
They deployed a similar approach against the Mercury but allowed them to come back into the game on two occasions. They will look to iron out the wrinkles against a young LA side showing promise.
Like in the first game, much depends on Nurse and Hamby as they look to upset the Aces' applecart. Hamby and Brink will have their work cut out as the team's defensive presence against a relentless Aces offense.
LA Sparks vs Las Vegas Aces predicted starting lineup, rotations and substitutions
The Sparks will likely stick to the same starters they fielded against the Dream. Layshia Clarendon and Lexie Brown as PG and SG will share the guard duties. Kia Nurse and Cameron Brink will slot in at SF and PF, while Dearica Hamby plays C. Rickea Jackson, Aria McDonald, and Stephanie Talbot will be their rotation options.
The Las Vegas Aces will stick to their usual starters as well with Jackie Young at PG, Kelsey Plum at PG, Alysha Clark at SF, Kiah Stokes at PF, and A'ja Wilson at C. Megan Gustafson and Sydney Coulson are their primary substitution options with Kierstan Bell as one of the players slotting in as well.
LA Sparks vs Las Vegas Aces Prediction
Expect the Aces to cover the spread and take the game home. The Sparks' inexperience is a challenge, but they showed glimpses of what an in-sync unit could be like in certain passages of play in their last game. But for Saturday, mark down a win for Vegas.
