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The New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces meet Friday for Game 3 of the best-of-5 WNBA semifinals at Michelob Ultra Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s WNBA odds around the Liberty vs. Aces odds, and make our expert WNBA picks and predictions.
Playoff series: Liberty lead 2-0; Liberty swept regular-season series 3-0
The Liberty picked up an 88-84 win in Game 2, pushing the 2-time defending champion Aces to the brink of elimination. New York shot 49.3% (33 of 67) from the field, 31.0% (9 of 29) from downtown and 81.3% (13 of 16) from the free-throw line, while posting a plus-6 rebounding margin.
The Aces were just 43.5% (30 of 69) from the field, but 44.4% (12 of 27) from behind the arc, which is what kept Vegas in the game. It did leave 7 points on the free-throw line, going just 63.2% (12 of 19).
The Liberty won despite F Breanna Stewart having an off night. Sure, she finished with 15 points, but it was a grind with a 5-of-15 shooting night, with no 3-pointers and 3 turnovers. G Sabrina Ionescu picked up the slack, though, going for 24 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, a blocked shot and 3 triples.
As you’d expect, C A’ja Wilson led Las Vegas with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal while hitting 11 of 18 from the field. G Kelsey Plum had a rough game, though, posting just 6 points on 2-of-9 shooting after going for a team-best 24 points in Game 1.
Liberty at Aces odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 8:31 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Liberty +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Aces -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Liberty +2.5 (-105) | Aces -2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 166.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Liberty at Aces picks and predictions
Prediction
Aces 89, Liberty 84
Moneyline
The ACES (-150) are worth playing straight up if you don’t want to fiddle around with the points in Game 3.
The 2-time defending champions have their backs against the wall, and they’re likely to show the heart of a lion, not going out quietly against the Liberty (+125).
The Aces haven’t won on their home court against the Liberty since Oct. 11, 2023, but they’re a good bet to get it done here.
Against the spread
LAS VEGAS -2.5 (-115) is a solid play at home in Game 3, as it will take a lot to oust the 2-time defending champions from the postseason.
New York +2.5 (-105) has won all 5 meetings this season, while going 3-1-1 ATS. However, A’ja and the Aces won’t be shown the door after Friday’s game. They’ll be very obstinate, as Las Vegas tries to hang around and make this a series.
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Over/Under
OVER 166.5 (-105) is the play in Game 3 after the total went high in the 1st 2 games of this series back east.
Still, the Over is a risk, as the Under is 11-7 across the past 18 games for New York dating back to Aug. 17.
The Under has dominated for the Lib, too, going 16-7-1 across the previous 24 contests since July 10. But, again, 2 of those Over results are in the 1st 2 games of this series.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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