WNBA Playoffs 2022: Vegas Freaks Out After Game 1 of Semifinals (Storm, Sun New Series Favorites vs. Aces, Sky)

Apparently, the sportsbooks have seen enough from the top two teams in the WNBA after just one game to completely reverse their course

The Las Vegas Aces and Chicago Sky finished the 2022 regular season with a combined home record of 27-9, and net rating of +13.4, but after both the No. 1 and No. 2 seed in the playoffs respectively got beat at home on Sunday, oddsmakers are ready to flip the script.

After opening the series at FanDuel Sportsbook as the favorites, following their losses to the Seattle Storm and Connecticut Sun respectively, Las Vegas and Chicago now find themselves as underdogs the rest of the way. The Aces moved from consensus -250 favorites to move onto the WNBA Finals at +100; even money to win the series against the Storm. Meanwhile, the Sun have gone from +130 dogs now to -164 following their road win.

The Storm's defense vs. Las Vegas was terrific; limiting them to a 2022-low 15 points at home in the first quarter; taking a double digit lead after the first 10 minutes and winning 76-73 in Game 1.

Meanwhile, other than Candace Parker, who finished with 19 points, 18 rebounds and five assists for the Sky, Chicago's red-hot offense never got going against Connecticut; falling 68-63; doomed by a terrible 3rd quarter where they were outscored 20-12 by the Sun. They also lost the first quarter for the first time all season to Connecticut, and had been 3-0 in first quarters during the playoffs until last night.

Should Bettors Consider Taking the Aces or Sky as Series Underdogs?

You could certainly make an argument for both sides, but I'm on record saying that I expect the Storm to upset Las Vegas in this series; placing a +600 wager on them to win the WNBA Finals at the start of the playoffs.

However, if you have yet to wager on the Connecticut vs. Chicago series; then now's a terrific time to buy low on the defending champion Sky to not only even the series in Game 2, but come back and win three of the next four games.

While both teams played each other tough throughout the season, the Sky walked away with a 4-0 record; consistently finding out a way to close out the Sun each time. It didn't happen in Game 1, as the Sky's shooting went ice-cold to start the 3rd, but Chicago's sample of dominating the Sun in the first quarter has been documented throughout the season.

After a Game 1 loss in the series at home vs. the New York Liberty, Chicago came out mad; dropping 190 total points in Games 2-3, winning by an average of 28 points.

While it's hard not to walk away from Game 1 impressed by Connecticut's effort defensively, I'll jump on board the Sky train at very favorable odds to come back and win this series.