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Three possible playoffs teams hit the road to face the bottom three teams in the league on Saturday. The top eight teams make the playoffs, and with the the top eight teams separated by just 4.5 games, every game counts.
Tonight, the fifth-place Chicago Sky face the 12th-place Atlanta Dream, the seventh-place Minnesota Lynx face the 10th-place Indiana Fever and the third-place Las Vegas Aces face the 11th-place Dallas Wings.
Chicago lost its last game against the Connecticut Sun 100-94, while Atlanta has lost its last six games. Atlanta fares better at home (4-7), while Chicago has the worst road record among teams over .500 (3-6). The Sky got past the Dream in their meeting in Chicago 77-76. If Atlanta is able to find some offense, we could be in for another close game. With a win, Chicago would close the gap behind the Los Angeles Sparks to just a half-game.
Minnesota will play in Indiana for the second time this season, having won the first meeting 78-74. Indiana won its first game after the All-Star break 61-58 over Atlanta, which ended a six-game losing stretch. The Lynx have lost their last three games, but this will be their first game since the break. Minnesota has been inconsistent and that is exemplified in their 10-10 record. A win for the Lynx would give them a little bit of breathing room in front of the Phoenix Mercury, who sit on the playoff bubble in eighth, and slightly close the gap with the sixth-place Seattle Storm.
Las Vegas looks to shake off a road loss as they face Dallas in the teams’ season series finale. The Aces won the first two matchups, most recently 86-54 on Tuesday, July 30. Dallas returned home and took out its frustration on the New York Liberty 87-64. All of the Wings’ wins have occurred at home, where they are 6-5 against a 6-15 overall record. A win for Las Vegas would put it in a tie for second place with the Washington Mystics.
Game information
Atlanta Dream (5-16) vs. Chicago Sky (11-9)
When: Saturday, August 3, at 7 p.m. ET
Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
How to watch: WNBA League Pass, WSB Now, The U Too
Keys to the matchup: Allie Quigley will have to be the focus for the Dream’s defense. Quigley leads the league in three-point shots made and shoots nearly 48 percent from long range. Yet for Chicago, their defense is among the worst in the league, allowing the most points when they play on the road.
Indiana Fever (7-15) vs. Minnesota Lynx (10-10)
When: Saturday, August 3, at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
How to watch: WNBA League Pass, Fox Sports Southwest, Fox Sports Plus
Keys to the matchup: The Lynx’s margin for error is increased slightly because of their opponent, who has the worst home record in the league. Minnesota does not score a ton of points, but the the Fever give up a lot of points. The Fever, despite their woes, do limit their turnovers and if they can execute, they have a shot to get the victory.
Dallas Wings (6-15) vs. Las Vegas Aces (14-7)
When: Saturday, August 3, at 8 p.m. ET
Where: College Park Center, Arlington, TX
How to watch: NBA TV, Fox Sports Southwest Plus, NBA TV Canada
Keys to the matchup: The Aces are one of the best-scoring teams on the road. However, Liz Cambage has been limited, scoring just 15 points in the Aces’ last two games, one of which was against Dallas. Las Vegas still won in a blowout despite her performance. Dallas allows the fewest points at home and it will need that intensity to stave off the offensive prowess of Las Vegas.