Aces vs. Sky Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, July 26 (Who Takes Home the WNBA Commissioner's Cup in Chicago?)
By Ben Heisler
The Commissioner's Cup Trophy, along with a $500,000 prize will be handed out tonight at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of tonight's championship matchup.
What is the WNBA Commissioner's Cup?
With a prize pool of $500,000, the stakes have never been higher! Which team will take home the #CommissionersCup presented by @coinbase?
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 25, 2022
Tune in TOMORROW at 8:30 pm/ET on Prime Video to find out 👀 pic.twitter.com/DbQAAThLQs
The Commissioner's Cup is a first half in-season 10-game tournament that culminates with the championship game tonight in Chicago between the Las Vegas Aces and Chicago Sky. While Chicago and Las Vegas both finished 9-1 in the tournament, as well as the Aces having a +102 point differential compared to the Sky (+82), Chicago won the head-to-head battle in Las Vegas, coming back from 28-points down in the first quarter to upset the Aces. They also own the best overall record in the league.
The Chicago Sky trailed 51-23 part-way through the second quarter tonight. They ended up winning 104-95.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 22, 2022
Their 28-point comeback is now the largest in WNBA history. pic.twitter.com/qedK3AdxQK
In addition to bragging rights, a $500,000 prize pool is available between the two competing teams. Each player from the winning team collects $30,000, while the losing team earns $10,000. The Most Valuable Player receives an additional $5,000.
Let's check out the odds for tonight over at WynnBET Sportsbook:
Aces vs. Sky Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Aces +2.5 (-110)
- Sky -2.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Aces +127
- Sky -155
Total:
- 170 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)
Aces vs. Sky Prediction and Pick
The Aces can heat up quickly, evidenced by what they did to Chicago in the first quarter of their previous matchup. Yet despite a 41-18 lead at home after a quarter, the Sky dominated the rest of the way en route to a 104-95 win.
Look for Las Vegas to start hot again, pushing their top-ranked pace against a veteran Sky squad that gets Courtney Vandersloot back after being out the last four games. She's a viable piece to their success, and while they've been ok without her this year, the larger sample tells a bigger story.
Just got back from the Sky's practice where James Wade said Courtney Vandersloot is available for tomorrow's game vs. the Aces after missing 4 games.
— James Kay (@James_M_Kay) July 25, 2022
Here's the Sky's net rating with her off the court over the last 4 years:
2019: -11.8
2020: -18.7
2021: -2.8
2022: -0.8
I expect Chicago to be a little less efficient in the first half, then turn it around in the second half with their strong defense, and ability to slow down Las Vegas with a lot of half court offense.
This feels like an ideal opportunity to back the Aces at plus-value early, and then jump on the Sky as a live bet when their value is at its peak.
PICK: Aces 1H +2.5 (-135) & Aces 1H ML (+112)
LEAN: Sky -2.5 (-110)
Follow all of Ben's betting plays in real-time HERE!