Mystics vs Aces Betting Odds: Injuries Taking Toll on Fading Washington

Injuries have begun to deplete the once-promising Washington Mystics. There’s still time for the Mystics to get healthy and turn their fortunes back around, but they’ll need to do so in a hurry. It doesn’t help that the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces are next on the schedule.

Las Vegas is an 18-point favorite (-110) after opening at -15.5 and is -2000 to win outright, with Washington priced +1000. The projected point total has jumped from 163.5 to 170 (-110).

Read on as we break down both teams in our Mystics vs Aces betting odds preview.

Mystics Fading

The Washington Mystics (13-15) are still currently in a playoff spot, sitting in a tie for sixth in the WNBA standings. However, they continue to trend in the wrong direction. The Mystics are just 2-7 over their last nine games and have seen their championship hopes plummet from +1400 to +6000.

Injuries are mostly to blame for the Mystics’ sudden fall. Two-time Most Valuable Player Elena Delle Donne, who is averaging a team-high 18.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists, has not played since July 9 because of an ankle injury. Washington is just 3-7 in her absence. Guards Ariel Atkins (ankle) and Kristi Toliver (foot) and center Shakira Austin (hip) are also currently out. The quartet has accounted for 57.7% of Washington’s scoring. Keep that in mind when assessing the Mystics vs Aces betting odds.

Guard Brittney Skyes led Washington with 24 points in Tuesday’s 91-72 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, while Myisha Hines-Allen (11 points) and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (10) joined her in double figures.

Opponents are averaging 85.9 points in Washington’s last 10 games and 81.0 on the season, the fourth-fewest among WNBA teams. However, the Mystics are only middle-of-the-pack offensively (80.5 PPG), largely due to the loss of multiple key starters.

Aces Keep Surging Without Parker

At 25-3, the Las Vegas Aces remain the WNBA’s team-to-beat. There’s no debate. They are -350 championship favorites, up from +120 in the preseason.

Las Vegas has averaged the most points (93.6) in the WNBA while allowing the second-fewest (79.8). Its plus-13.8 point differential is easily the best in the league, nearly double that of the New York Liberty (plus-7.4), the other much-acclaimed “Super Team.”

Impressively, Las Vegas has done much of that without two-time MVP Candace Parker. Parker, Las Vegas’ prized offseason acquisition, is currently sidelined with a foot injury that may keep her out for most of the remainder of the regular season. The 37-year-old Parker was averaging a career-low 9.0 points and 5.4 rebounds while still providing valuable versatility on both ends of the floor.

With Parker out, the Aces have relied heavily on their core of A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young to take on more responsibility. The same goes for veteran center Kiah Stokes, who has started at center in Parker’s absence. The 6-foot-3 Stokes had 10 rebounds in Tuesday’s 104-84 victory over the Dallas Wings and is averaging 5.8 boards on the season.

Wilson currently ranks first in the WNBA in blocks (2.2), second in rebounds (9.6) and fifth in scoring (20.5) and is among the frontrunners to win MVP at +200. Only New York’s Breanna Stewart has better odds at -170.

Handicapping the Game

You’ve seen the WNBA predictions. Most, if not all, of them have the Aces defending their title this season. It’s no secret why. Even without Parker, a seven-time All-Star, the Aces are ridiculously difficult to beat. They’re loaded in all facets, especially offensively. Wilson, Plum and Young all rank among the Top 10 in the league in scoring, with Gray not far behind at 22nd.

Does Washington have an answer for that? Probably not. The Mystics need Delle Donne, and even then, they’d still struggle to keep pace with the Aces. There’s a glaring gap in talent between the teams, and injuries have only made the disparity greater.

Notably, Las Vegas has surpassed 100 points in three of its last five games. Expect its dominance to continue. The Mystics vs Aces betting odds should feature Las Vegas as a comfortable favorite.

For WNBA betting news, odds, analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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