Las Vegas Aces Picked For Close Victory Over New York Liberty in the 2023 WNBA Finals

Henry Shepherd
By , Updated on: Dec 19, 2023 07:00 PM
Las Vegas Aces Picked For Close Victory Over New York Liberty in the 2023 WNBA Finals

Well before the 2023 WNBA season tipped off, the entire basketball world had their eyes locked onto a Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty Finals. Now, after a record-breaking 40-game regular season and two intense playoff rounds, we're finally here. The long-anticipated showdown begins this Sunday in Las Vegas, where the league's two powerhouse teams collide to decide the champion.

Check out our guide to WNBA betting odds for all the information you need about betting on the WNBA playoff finals.

Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty

  • Series odds: Aces +180, Liberty -220
  • Game 1: Liberty at Aces
  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 8, 3 p.m. ET
  • Location: Michelob Ultra Arena - Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Game 2: Liberty at Aces, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 9 p.m. ET
  • Game 3: Aces at Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 15, 3 p.m. ET
  • Game 4 if necessary: Aces at Liberty, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 8 p.m. ET
  • Game 5 if necessary: Liberty at Aces, Friday, Oct. 20, 9 p.m. ET
WNBA Outright WinnerBovadaBetUSBetOnline
Las Vegas Aces-220-195-195
New York Liberty+180+170+170

The Aces had a smooth ride throughout the regular season, ending with a stellar 34-6 record, setting a new WNBA wins record, and securing the top overall seed. Their playoff journey mirrored their regular-season dominance, as they breezed past the Chicago Sky in the first round and the Dallas Wings in the semifinals, rarely trailing in any game.

Conversely, the Liberty, while still impressive in the regular season with a franchise-best 32 wins (the second-highest ever), faced a tougher path to the Finals due to their fierce competition. However, despite enduring challenging matchups, they managed to sweep the Washington Mystics in the first round and dispatch the Connecticut Sun in four games during the semis.

What's at stake in this high-stakes matchup? The Aces are gunning to achieve something no team has done since the 2001 and 2002 Los Angeles Sparks: back-to-back championship wins. Meanwhile, the Liberty are on a quest to capture their first-ever franchise title, adding an extra layer of excitement to this WNBA Finals clash.

With home court advantage in game one, The Aces -4.5 at odds of -115 is a promising betting option.

Las Vegas Aces -4.5 To beat New York Liberty in Game One
-115
Bovada

Players To Watch

Aces: A'ja Wilson

While Wilson narrowly missed out on a repeat MVP-Defensive Player of the Year double this season, settling for the DPOY title and a respectable third-place finish in the MVP race, her performance in the playoffs has been nothing short of spectacular. Averaging 25.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game with an impressive 59.5% shooting rate, she has undeniably been the standout player since the postseason kicked off. If she maintains this level of play, the Aces stand a solid chance of claiming the championship, and Wilson could potentially add a Finals MVP accolade to her already impressive resume.

Bovada have a large number of betting options for the WNBA playoffs. One option they have for game one is 'Player to score the first point in the game'

A'ja Wilson Player to score the first point in game one
+260
Bovada

Feel free to take a look at our Bovada sportsbook review for more information on this bookie.

Liberty: Breanna Stewart

Five years after her first MVP win, Stewart once again clinched the league's most prestigious award this season, emerging victorious in a historic race that included tough competition from Alyssa Thomas and Wilson. However, her postseason journey hasn't always mirrored her MVP status. She faced challenges with her outside shooting and grappled with the physicality of the Mystics and Sun. Yet, in Games 3 and 4 of the semis, she started to regain her typical form. The Liberty's success heavily relies on her maintaining this level of performance, as her best is needed for them to secure victory in this series.

Aces vs. Liberty Stats 

Aces

  • Points Per Game: 92.8 (1st)
  • Field Goal Percentage: 48.6 (1st)
  • Three-Point Percentage: 37.2 (2nd)
  • Rebounds Per Game: 34.8 (5th)
  • Assists Per Game: 21.7 (2nd)
  • Offensive Rating: 113.0 (1st)
  • Defensive Rating: 97.7 (1st)
  • Pace: 98.58 (2nd)

Liberty

  • Points Per Game: 89.2 (2nd)
  • Field Goal Percentage: 46.0 (2nd)
  • Three-Point Percentage: 37.4 (1st)
  • Rebounds Per Game: 37.9 (2nd)
  • Assists Per Game: 24.1 (1st)
  • Offensive Rating: 109.6 (1st)
  • Defensive Rating: 99.4 (3rd)
  • Pace: 96.56 (5th)

Prediction

This WNBA series has all the makings of a historic showdown, potentially ranking among the greatest in the league's history.

The Aces are gunning for a two-peat, eager to follow up on their championship win from the previous year. However, the Liberty appear to be tailor-made to challenge their reign. In the offseason, New York orchestrated significant roster upgrades, bringing in former MVPs Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, along with the formidable Courtney Vandersloot, to complement an already impressive lineup featuring rising star Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney.

As we approach the series opener, the clash of these two formidable teams becomes intriguing. The Liberty had a tougher path to the Finals, prevailing over the Connecticut Sun in a challenging 3-1 series. In contrast, the Aces have yet to taste defeat in the postseason, sweeping both the Chicago Sky and the Dallas Wings.

The odds may lean in favor of the defending champions, with Vegas holding a -220 favorite status to clinch the series. Nevertheless, the Liberty boast a wealth of talent and firepower, making them genuine contenders for the title. This series promises to be a captivating and closely watched spectacle for basketball enthusiasts and fans alike.

Series Correct Score Las Vegas Aces 3-2
+280
Bovada
LV To Win Game 1 and Series Las Vegas Aces vs New York liberty
-145
Bovada

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Meet the author

Henry Shepherd

Henry started his career in the betting industry before moving in to writing. He specialises in soccer and golf but covers a multitude of sports from all over the world.

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