Las Vegas Aces - Seattle Storm predictions and free betting tips [20/06/2024]

In the main event of the WNBA regular season, the "Las Vegas Aces" will face off against the "Seattle Storm".

Las Vegas Aces

Last season, the "Las Vegas Aces," under the guidance of Becky Hammon, were tasked with defending the championship title they secured in the 2022 season.

The team performed consistently in the first part of the regular season, but the end of August was not as successful. Three wins in six games are far from championship form. Nevertheless, they made up for it in September with four consecutive victories.

To reach the grand final, the "Aces" expended the minimum number of matches. In the first round, they crushed the "Chicago Sky" (87:59; 92:70). The semifinals saw more resistance from the "Dallas Wings," but they also succumbed in all matches (97:83; 91:84; 61:64). In the final series against the "New York Liberty," the champions took an extra game to defend their title and complete the golden double.

This season, Becky Hammon’s squad started in championship style, winning four out of their first five matches. However, the June stretch has already been catastrophic for Vegas. The team lost to the "Atlanta Dream" (78:74), "Seattle Storm" (65:78), "Los Angeles Sparks" (96:92), "Minnesota Lynx" (86:100), and "New York Liberty" (82:90).

Only victories over the "Phoenix Mercury" (99:103) and "Dallas Wings" (81:95) have kept the "Aces" in the playoffs zone.

Seattle Storm

After the departure of Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, the club entered a deep rebuild that, based on last season, appeared indefinite.

In the middle of the last championship, the "Seattle Storm" endured a ten-game losing streak. The team had a good stretch, with three wins in five games, which can be seen as a smooth bounce back. However, the end of August saw Seattle falter again with three defeats in their last four games. A mid-summer run allowed the team to surpass the "Phoenix Mercury," but that was the sole positive takeaway from last season.

However, the start of the 2024 season turned out to be remarkably successful for the "Storm," despite bleak forecasts before the regular season began. New signings Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith proved they were far from finished.

Following defeats in three of their first four games to the "Minnesota Lynx" and "New York Liberty," starting from 23 May, the "Seattle Storm" delivered an impressive run of eight wins in ten games. The team triumphed over the "Indiana Fever" (85:83; 88:103), "Washington Mystics" (101:69), "Chicago Sky" (68:77), "Phoenix Mercury" (80:62), "Los Angeles Sparks" (95:79), and "Dallas Wings" (84:92). The two losses in this period to the "Minnesota Lynx" (83:64) and "Phoenix Mercury" (83:64) were a bit of a setback, but the unexpectedly strong start cannot be ignored.

Head-to-Head

In the latest head-to-head matchup this season, the "Seattle Storm" emerged victorious (65:78).

Match Prediction: Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm

I don't believe in a blowout victory for the home team, and I don’t quite understand the bookmakers' confidence in this outcome. The reigning champions are incredibly erratic at the start, and for Becky Hammon, this period in her still-short coaching career as a head coach is the most challenging. I think a handicap on the visitors in today's match is a very good betting option.