WNBA Playoffs Predictions Today: Liberty vs Aces Game 2 Picks and Odds on October 1

The New York Liberty guns for a commanding 2-0 lead while the Las Vegas Aces seek revenge as they collide in Game 2 of their best-of-five semifinals series, this Tuesday, at Barclays Center.

(Photo by Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)

New York drew first blood on Sunday following a dominant 87-77 victory over Las Vegas thanks to the all-around play of All-Stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, who combined for 55 points.

• Just like Game 1, the Liberty opens as the slight favorite according to the latest New York Liberty vs Las Vegas Aces betting lines.
• It can be recalled that New York more than covered the spread in Game 1 after opening as a four-point favorite.
• Including regular season, the Liberty has covered the spread in three of its four matchups against the Aces this year.

Can New York continue its dominant run against the Aces this year or will the defending champions exact revenge and tie the series? That remains to be seen but as of press time here’s how the current New York Liberty vs Las Vegas Aces odds tonight look.

New York Liberty vs Las Vegas Aces DraftKings WNBA Playoff Odds for October 1

Moneyline

• New York Liberty: -175
• Las Vegas Aces: +145

Spread

• New York Liberty: -3.5 (-110)
• Las Vegas Aces: +3.5 (-110)

Over/Under (Total)

• OVER 164 (-110)
• UNDER 164 (-110)

If you're looking for some solid betting tips before the game, check out our latest updates in betting news.

New York Liberty vs Las Vegas Aces Injury Report

New York Liberty Injury Report

• No Injuries

Las Vegas Aces Injury Report

• No Injuries

Best WNBA Playoff odds for New York Liberty vs Las Vegas Aces

• The New York Liberty have covered in three of their four matchups with the Las Vegas Aces this season. The best New York Liberty odds to cover the spread are available on DraftKings for an attractive price of -110.

• The Las Vegas Aces are 2-1 (win-loss) overall when bookmakers have them as an underdog. Bet365 offers the best odds for the Aces to win outright at +160.

• The over hit in Game 1 of the best-of-five semis series between the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces. Caesars Sportsbook has the over 164 market total priced at -110.

Why will the New York Liberty cover the spread?

Remembering the scar from the finals loss to this same Las Vegas Aces squad last year, the New York Liberty are seemingly leaving no stone unturned in their quest for the title this season.

Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinals series was the living proof of it. With the eyes of the basketball world descending upon New York, the Liberty delivered when it mattered the most as they battered the Aces 87-77 for a 1-0 series lead.

Versatile forward Breanna Stewart was right on the money with 34 points, five rebounds, and four assists while guard Sabrina Ionescu had 21 points and sharpshooting forward Jonquel Jones notched a 13-point and 12-rebound double-double effort.

• New York is opening as a 3.5-point favorite in Game 2 as per the latest New York Liberty vs Las Vegas Aces odds tonight and one could argue that it might be generous.
• It is worth noting that the Liberty have dismantled the Aces in all of their matchups this season, winning by an average margin of 9.2 points.

One thing the Liberty has to do to potentially cover the -3.5 spread and pull off another victory is to limit its turnovers. New York turned the ball over 14 times in Game 1 and fortunately, the Aces were unable to capitalize on their mistakes.

Liberty's bleeding wound: Bench production

Bench production is another thing New York has to improve in Game 2. It can be recalled that the Liberty only got nine points from its reserves in Game 1, which is completely unacceptable against a potent offensive team like the Aces.

• New York was impressive on defense in Game 1, recording 10 steals and forcing the Aces to hit bricks from the outside.

Should the Liberty cut its turnovers and continue its offensive and defensive pressure, backing them to cover the -3.5 spread at these current odds offers a significant value for punters seeking a possible betting spot on the favorite.

To dive deeper into winning strategies, visit our dedicated Ballislife Bets section.

Why will the Las Vegas Aces cover the spread?

If there is something to love about the Las Vegas Aces this year, it’s their ability to recover and rise from setbacks quickly.

A living testament to that was when they bounced back with a six-game winning streak in the mid-part of the season after losing three straight games.

• While the Aces lost by double digits in Game 1, it is worth noting that they were able to cut the deficit to six late in the third courtesy of baskets from Alysha Clark, Courtney Vandersloot, and three-time league Most Valuable Player A’ja Wilson.
• Wilson also delivered the goods for the Aces, notching 21 points, six rebounds, and five assists while guards Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young combined for 41 points.
• Las Vegas were also able to force the Liberty to commit 12 unforced errors and a total of 16 turnovers.

However, for the Aces to bounce back quickly here, they will need guard Chelsea Gray to get going. Gray, who averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 assists in their finals series against New York last year, was only held to four points on two-for-seven shooting in Game 1.

Aces must pay back the rebound debt from the game 1

Rebounding should also be the center of discussion for head coach Becky Hammon as they found themselves out-rebounded by a gritty New York team in Game 1, 31-22.

Of course speculating is one thing but if Las Vegas can address what went wrong in Game 1, they are in a prime position to cover the +3.5 spread and even potentially win the game.

Final New York Liberty vs Las Vegas Aces WNBA Playoff Prediction: New York Liberty -3.5 (-110)

Winning against the Las Vegas Aces has been second nature for the New York Liberty this season and that again should be the case here.

With the Liberty playing at home and seemingly unbeatable right now, I am backing the favorite to cover the spread and go up 2-0 against the Aces in its best-of-five semifinal series.

For more insights on WNBA matchups and betting odds, explore our WNBA section.