GAME PREVIEW: Aces Continue Road Trip Saturday at Dallas

Sat, Aug 3, 2019, 2:08 AM

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ARLINGTON, TX (August 2, 2019)—Las Vegas looks to get back on the winning track Saturday, as the Aces take on the Dallas Wings at 5 pm PT. Las Vegas had its three-game winning streak snapped Thursday in an eight-point loss at Los Angeles.

A’ja Wilson has missed the team’s last four games with an ankle injury, but the Aces have gone 3-1 over that span. Dearica Hamby is averaging 16.8 points and 9.5 rebounds since moving into the starting lineup to replace Wilson, while Kayla McBride is averaging 14.3 points and 3.0 assists, and Liz Cambage is chipping in with 13.0 points an 9.0 boards. Team’s are shooting 38.2 percent from the field over the last four games against Las Vegas, and scoring just 66.5 points per game.

The Aces continue to boast the top defense in the league, pacing the W in defensive efficiency, opponent field goal percentage, and defensive field goal percentage. Las Vegas also leads the WNBA in three-point field goal percentage, and free throws made and attempts.

Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak Thursday with an 87-64 win over the New York Liberty. The victory improved the Wings’ record to 6-15 overall and 6-5 at home.

Dallas is led by one of the W’s leading rookie of the year candidates—Arike Ogunbowale. The Notre Dame grad is averaging 14.6 points per game. Third year pro Kayla Thornton is also averaging double figures, scoring 10.9 points per game, while grabbing 5.8 rebounds per contest. Although they don’t have any individual players ranked in the top 20 in rebounds per game, the team ranks first in the WNBA in offensive field goal percentage.

The Wings are making just 38.1 percent of their shots from the field, and 29.8 percent from long distance. Both of those figures are the second lowest in the league. Defensively, Dallas allows opponents to connect on a league-high 35.6 percent of their three-pointers.

The Aces are 2-0 against the Wings this season, but have lost nine straight on Dallas’ home court.