The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Dallas Wings in Game 2, 91-84 sending an early message that Dallas still has some growing to do. The Aces look like a well-oiled machine and the fact that A'ja Wilson didn't win the MVP award may have added fuel to the fire.
Despite Dallas being one game away from being swept, they still have a chance to secure Game 3 at home. During the regular season, the Wings went 11-9 at home and they defended their home court in the first round of the playoffs against the Atlanta Dream.
Dallas will be fighting an uphill battle as they try to come back from being down 0-2 (no team has ever done it). In order to have a puncher's chance in this series, they need to take it one game at a time. The team has matched up with the Aces throughout the series but the Wings have made too many costly mistakes which resulted in huge runs from the Aces.
In order for the Wings to climb back into this series, they are going to need to make a few changes.
Game 3 adjustments for the Wings: 3. Dominate the defensive boards
The first adjustment that Dallas needs to make for Game 3 is to dominate the defensive glass. At the end of Game 2, the Wings outrebounded the Aces 40-39.
However, Dallas only secured 19 defensive rebounds which allowed Las Vegas to put up 14 second-chance points. Despite the current series record, the Wings match up well with the Aces on the interior.
The Wings need to secure rebounds on the defensive end to smother the Aces' rhythm, force tough shots, and create fast break opportunities. Dallas scored 42 points in the paint compared to Las Vegas's 28 points.
If Dallas can limit Las Vegas's second-chance points, it will take away momentum from the defending champions. As the series transitions to the College Park Center, the Wings will need all the easy points, and hustle plays they can get.
Game 3 adjustments for the Wings: 2. Bench play
Another adjustment that the Wings need to make for Game 3 is improving their bench play. Dallas received solid play from their bench in both games but they will need to continue to be an anchor when the starting lineup gets off to a slow start like in Game 1.
In Game 2, the starters got off to a quick start but the bench took a step back. In order for the Wings to jump back into the series, they will need a huge performance from their bench.
The Aces have received a combined total of seven bench points between both playoff games compared to 38 for the Wings.
Dallas head coach Latricia Trammell may give rookie Maddy Siegrist some extra play time because of her ability to spread the floor from 3 and give more size for rebounding. Crystal Dangerfield is another player that needs to look to score instead of looking to pass first.
Las Vegas is an excellent defensive team but with Dangerfield looking to pass first it makes it easier for the team to defend a stationary offense. Kalani Brown is another bench player who can make a difference.
Brown can force Aj'a Wilson to stay home on the defensive end. Throughout this series, the 6-foot-7 center has been used more for pick-and-rolls to clear the paint and often time she clogs the paint making it harder for the offense to flow. But she needs to be used more for the offensive attack from a high-low perspective.
Game 3 adjustments for the Wings: 1. Arike's playmaking
The last adjustment that the Wings need to make is putting Arike Ogunbowale in the place to be a playmaker for others. This season she has taken the next steps and became a bigger force in this area.
Ogunbowale has focused on getting her teammates involved, running the offense, and making sure that people are in their correct spots to be effective. Some still question whether or not she can become a pass-first point guard or the facilitator the team needs.
The Notre Dame product finished Game 2 with 24 points 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. She also shot 46.2 percent on 3s.
Dallas will need their franchise player to have another high-volume game while making sure that her teammates are in the right place offensively. Satou Sabally is one player who feeds off of AO's energy.
In Game 3, Ogunbowale will need to help Sabally get into her rhythm earlier by running more pick-and-rolls, quick passes in transition, drawing two defends on the drive, and finding SS for spot-up opportunities.
