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Takeaways from Las Vegas Aces 98-74 win over the Chicago Sky

By Blake DuDonis

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: the Las Vegas Aces react after defeating the Connecticut Sun on July 7, 2018 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: the Las Vegas Aces react after defeating the Connecticut Sun on July 7, 2018 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Las Vegas Aces pick up a big road win over the Chicago Sky

The Las Vegas Aces rolled into Chicago with every intention of keeping their current hot streak alive against a Sky team who trailed them by just one game in the standings entering the contest. They were able to do just that thanks in large part to the play of Kayla McBride and Tamera Young , who scored 18 and 16 points, respectively. The 98-74 win moves Vegas to 9-12 and within a game of the 8th and final playoff spot. The loss drops Chicago to 7-13 and 10th place. A couple of quick takeaways from the game are below.

The Aces are really good

For your convenience, I’ve complied a list of all the teams that want to see the Aces on the other sideline against them in the playoffs:

1. N/A
That’s it; that’s the list.

The Aces are slowly climbing the rankings in offensive rating, they have multiple players that can go off to beat you and they have a coach who has been there before (don’t forget that Big Bill has 3 rings to his name). Las Vegas is getting better and are a force to be reckoned with.

Money money money money, MONEY

Coming in a a 4.5 point underdog, the Aces are now 11-7-1 against the spread as an underdog, making anyone backing them at the sports book very happy. Six times out of 11 came on the road, tying them for the most covers on the road in the league. Make that bread.

That Diamond DeShields block

I want to watch this block on a repeating reel for the rest of my life

Stef Dolson: still struggling 

It’s now been four straight games since former All-Star Stefanie Dolson cracked double digits in the scoring column, an alarming issue for the floundering Chicago Sky. Of course, it’s hard to score when you only take four, eight, two and nine shots like Dolson has over that span. DeShields has come into her own, and Quigley has solid fire power, but the Sky need to get something out of Dolson if they hope to make the playoffs.

That second quarter… woof

A solid 21-17 first quarter by the Sky was completely diminished thanks to a 32-15 second quarter in favor of the Aces. The biggest reason for the scoring surge by Las Vegas was the Sky’s inability to defend ball screens. Early one they did a good job of jamming and getting under, but the constant pick and roll offense by the Aces wore them down and they got to the rim at will (racking up 13 free throw attempts along the way).

Conclusion

The All-Star break is still a week away, but the Sky are looking more and more to be a lottery team who are still a year or so away. Meanwhile the Aces are looking better every week and I personally would be shocked to see them miss the playoffs.

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