Aces vs. Valkyries Recap: Golden State Holds On, 14 Plays Cash

The Valkyries held off the Aces 83-81 to take a 2-0 series lead. Golden State led 19-11 after the 1st, 42-31 at the half and by as many as 17, and was still up 66-55 after three quarters. Las Vegas won the 4th 26-17 and got within 81-80 on two Jackie Young free throws with 7.0 seconds left. Veronica Burton answered with two free throws at 6.4 seconds, and Young made 1 of 2 at 5.9 for the final margin. Fourteen DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

ALT: Valkyries +8.5 (alt, targeted -300 or better): CASHED - Our read: Golden State won Game 1 by 11, was 17-5 at home and out-rebounded Las Vegas 52-25, with Jewell Loyd doubtful. - What happened: The Valkyries won by 2, so the alt line cleared by 10.5. - Worth watching: The late Aces run is why the extra points mattered. A big lead can shrink fast.

Valkyries moneyline (-120 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Loyd was officially out after playing 17 minutes in Game 1, and Golden State had won that game 71-60. - What happened: Golden State won 83-81 and led for 95% of the game. - Worth watching: At 60 confidence this was one of our lower-rated plays, and it landed.

Valkyries -1.5 (-115 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Loyd was ruled out after starting Game 1, and Golden State won Game 1 at home. - What happened: A 2-point win, 0.5 past the number. Burton's free throws at 6.4 seconds made it 83-80. - Worth watching: This came down to the last two possessions. Short spreads in a game this close carry real risk.

A'ja Wilson 20+ points (-431 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Wilson scored 20 or more in 9 of her last 10, including 24 in Game 1. - What happened: 24 points on 9-16 shooting and 6-6 at the line in 36 minutes, 4.5 over the line. - Worth watching: Same 24 as Game 1. Her floor is steady, though this price leaves little value.

A'ja Wilson under 10.5 rebounds (-140 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: She grabbed 10 or fewer in 9 of her last 10, with 4 in Game 1 against Golden State's size. - What happened: 7 rebounds, 3.5 under the line. - Worth watching: Golden State won the boards 30-25. Her rebound under fits this matchup.

Chelsea Gray 10+ points (-233 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Gray scored 10 or more in 8 of her last 10, with 16 in Game 1, and more shots ran through her with Loyd out. - What happened: 19 points with 3 threes in 39 minutes, 9.5 over the line. - Worth watching: Her minutes went up from 36 to 39. That workload is what drives her scoring props.

Chelsea Gray over 11.5 points (-110 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: She scored 12 or more in 5 of her last 6 games of 33 or more minutes, and Loyd's 17 Game 1 minutes were gone. - What happened: 19 points, 7.5 over the line. - Worth watching: At 60 confidence, this landed easily once the minutes showed up.

Chelsea Gray 3+ rebounds (-221 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: She grabbed 3 or more in 8 of her last 10, and Loyd's absence kept her near 36-40 minutes. - What happened: Exactly 3 rebounds in 39 minutes. - Worth watching: This one got there with no room to spare. Low rebound numbers on guards depend on minutes.

Jackie Young 5+ assists (-256 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Young had 5 or more assists in 10 of her last 10, and Loyd's absence kept the ball in her hands. - What happened: 8 assists in 37 minutes, 3.5 over the line. - Worth watching: Her passing held up on a 2-7 shooting night. The assist prop does not need her shot to fall.

Kiah Stokes 6+ rebounds (-236 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Stokes grabbed 6 or more in 8 of her last 10, including 14 in Game 1. - What happened: 7 rebounds in 29 minutes, 1.5 over the line. - Worth watching: She got 7 boards in 29 minutes. Her rebounding role is the anchor for this prop.

Kiah Stokes 7+ rebounds (-132 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: She grabbed 7 or more in 8 of her last 10. - What happened: Exactly 7, 0.5 over the line. - Worth watching: At 64 confidence this landed right on the number.

Kiah Stokes under 0.5 made threes (-274 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Stokes made zero threes in 9 of her last 10 and went 0-for-2 in Game 1. - What happened: 0-1 from three, and she did not score. - Worth watching: She is on the floor to rebound, not shoot. The price is steep, but the profile fits.

Gabby Williams 2+ made threes (-216 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Williams made 2 or more threes in 8 of her last 10, including 4 in Game 1. - What happened: 3-8 from three and 20 points, 1.5 over the line. - Worth watching: Eight attempts tonight. Her three-point volume makes this a steady look.

Veronica Burton under 11.5 points (-121 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Burton scored 11 or fewer in 7 of her last 10 and had 4 points in Game 1. - What happened: 8 points in 28 minutes, 3.5 under the line, including the two late free throws. - Worth watching: At 64 confidence this landed. Her role is steady but not shot-heavy.

How the game played out

Tiffany Hayes scored 21 off the bench on 8-8 free throws, and Golden State made 25 of its 27 free throws. Golden State also had 10 offensive rebounds to 6. For Las Vegas, Kalani Brown added 9 points and 8 rebounds.

Trends to watch

• Gray's minutes: 39 with Loyd out. Her points and rebound props follow that workload.
• Golden State's free throws: 27 attempts and 25 makes. Late free throws decided the margin.
• Stokes and Wilson: Golden State won the boards again, and Wilson's rebound under fit that.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. More on player props, the moneyline and our WNBA hub.