The WNBA Finals kickoff tonight, it will be the Seattle Storm against the Las Vegas Aces. It’s a series that features WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, Angel McCoughtry, Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird, and many other outstanding players. Like any other playoff series, there will be x-factor players, and the WNBA Finals will be no different.
Las Vegas Aces
For the Aces, the X-Factors will be Kayla McBride and Danielle Robinson. If the Aces win the finals, they will need McBride to show up and knock down outside shots. She will need to play aggressively and look for her shot. In the series against the Connecticut Sun, McBride averaged eight points per game; she will need to improve that number for the Aces to succeed. McBride’s nickname is “McBuckets”; she will need to start getting buckets.
Robinson has played well against the Storm so far this season; she averaged 14.2 points per game in two regular-season games against Seattle. The Strom tried to trap her a lot, and she used her speed to get to the basket. Robinson will have to adjust because Seattle will probably try to force her to beat them from the outside with jumpers.
Seattle Storm
Natasha Howard will be crucial for Seattle this series; she started the season slowly but came on as the season went on. Seattle will try to isolate Howard against Carolyn Swords to use her speed and quickness to go by Swords. Howard will also be a critical part of the Storms, defense on Wilson. Natasha is an outstanding defender and won Defensive Player of the Year last season. She will need to help slow down Wilson and be aggressive on offense.
Im going to have my eye on Jewell Loyd; if she gets hot, she could take over the series. Her outside shot could be a difference in the Finals. The Aces will need to pay close attention to her and not let her get going. If Loyd does, it is terrible news for the Aces.
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