The Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm meet Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena for Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. The Aces hold a 1-0 lead after a dominant 25-point win in Game 1, pushing their win streak to 17 straight games. Seattle now faces a must-win situation to keep its season alive and force a Game 3.
Las Vegas enters as the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and has looked like the most complete team in the league over the last two months. Seattle, the No. 7 seed, stumbled late in the regular season and struggled on its home floor. With the Aces favored on the road, oddsmakers clearly see a big gap between the two teams heading into Tuesday’s matchup.
Aces Preview – Wilson and Company in Control
Las Vegas put together a complete performance in the opener, led by A’ja Wilson’s steady play in the paint. Jackie Young was just as important, hitting four three-pointers on her way to 18 points. The Aces shot nearly 51 percent from the field and almost 48 percent from deep, numbers that are tough for any opponent to overcome.
The Aces also have momentum and confidence working in their favor. Their 17-game winning streak is the longest active run in the league, and they closed the regular season with the best net rating over the final 15 games. Depth across the roster makes them dangerous, with multiple scoring options beyond Wilson and Young.
On defense, Las Vegas suffocated Seattle in the first half of Game 1, holding them to just 25 points. That early dominance allowed the Aces to control the pace the rest of the way. If they can duplicate that defensive effort, they’ll be on track to close this series quickly on the road.
Storm Preview – Offense Needs Answers
The Storm enter Game 2 with plenty of questions after being outmatched in the opener. Jewell Loyd has been the team’s top scorer all season and will need to set the tone in this elimination game. However, with Katie Lou Samuelson sidelined, Seattle is missing one of its key floor spacers and offensive contributors.
Seattle’s shooting struggles were costly in Game 1, as they were unable to generate consistent looks against the Aces’ defense. The lack of offensive efficiency has been an issue much of the year, and it showed again on Sunday. To stay competitive, they will need players like Ezi Magbegor and Sami Whitcomb to step up alongside Loyd.
The Storm’s defense also has to tighten up after giving up 96 points in the opener. They allowed the Aces to score both inside and outside, creating mismatches all over the floor. Playing at home may provide some boost, but they’ll need more discipline and energy if they want to slow down Las Vegas for 40 minutes.
Betting Prediction
The Aces are favored by 5.5 points, with the total set at 161.5. Given how one-sided Game 1 was, this number feels light for a team that has been rolling for weeks. Las Vegas has been reliable for bettors, and its depth and momentum suggest another strong showing.
Seattle has not been trustworthy against the spread, finishing 17-27 during the regular season. Their inconsistency on offense makes it hard to back them against the hottest team in the league. Expect Las Vegas to control the game again and advance to the semifinals with a projected score of 90-76.
Pick: Aces -5.5
