Valkyries vs. Aces Recap: Golden State Wins in OT, Six Plays Cash

The Valkyries beat the Aces 87-77 in overtime in Las Vegas in Game 3 of the WNBA Semifinals. Las Vegas led 45-36 at the half, then scored 7 points in the 3rd quarter while Golden State scored 17 to go up 53-52. Veronica Burton's 9-footer put the Valkyries ahead 71-69 with 1:12 left, Jackie Young tied it on a layup with 26.6 seconds to go, and Chelsea Gray's pull-up at the horn missed. Golden State won overtime 16-6. Six DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Valkyries +5.5 (-118 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: The line moved from Las Vegas -3.5 to -5.5 on game day. Golden State had won both games in this series and held opponents to 75.9 points over its last 10. - What happened: Golden State won outright by 10, covering by 15.5. Even at the end of regulation, tied 71-71, the number was safe. - Worth watching: At 63 confidence, this was a long shot that landed. Line movement toward the favorite gave us the better number.

ALT: Valkyries +5.5 (alt, worth it at -150 or better): CASHED - Our read: Golden State won Games 1 and 2 (71-60 and 83-81), and its bench outscored the Las Vegas reserves 27-7 and 34-14. - What happened: Same 15.5-point cover. The bench edge showed up again: 27-13, with Tiffany Hayes scoring 11 off the bench and opening overtime with a driving layup. - Worth watching: Golden State has now won all three games in this series. Its depth keeps showing up in the box score.

Chelsea Gray 10+ points (-216 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Gray scored 10 or more in 9 of her last 10, with 16 and 19 earlier in this series on 36 and 39 minutes. - What happened: 17 points on 6-12 shooting, 2-3 from three, 7.5 over the line. - Worth watching: She played 43 minutes, up from 36 and 39 in the first two games. Her workload keeps climbing in this series.

Chelsea Gray 20+ points + rebounds + assists (-179 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: She cleared 20 PRA in 8 of her last 10, with 23 and 28 earlier in the series. - What happened: 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for 27 PRA, 7.5 over the line. - Worth watching: Overtime added five minutes, but she was already deep into a heavy night. At 43 minutes, the combined prop has a lot of room.

Kiah Stokes 7+ rebounds (-232 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Stokes grabbed 7 or more in 8 of her last 10, with 14 and 7 earlier in this series, and Golden State won the boards 52-25 in Game 1. - What happened: 10 rebounds in 38 minutes, 3.5 over the line, plus 11 points and 3 blocks. One of those blocks stopped an A'ja Wilson layup with 28.6 seconds left in regulation. - Worth watching: Golden State won the boards 43-35. As long as the Valkyries keep winning the glass, her rebound number has support.

Jackie Young 2+ made threes (-236 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Young made 2 or more threes in 8 of her last 10, with 3 and 2 earlier in the series. - What happened: 2 threes on 6 attempts in 42 minutes, right on the number. She scored 18. - Worth watching: Six attempts gave her enough chances. Her three-point volume is what this prop depends on.

How the game played out

Golden State had 12 steals and Las Vegas turned it over 15 times, and the Valkyries scored 17 points off those turnovers. Kayla Thornton led Golden State with 18 points and 9 rebounds and made all four of her overtime free throws. Wilson scored 21 with 10 rebounds for Las Vegas on 6-19 shooting.

Trends to watch

• Gray's minutes: 36, 39 and now 43. Her points and PRA props follow that workload.
• Golden State's defense: 12 steals and 17 points off turnovers. Las Vegas guards are under pressure with the ball.
• The Valkyries' bench: 27-13 in this one. Their depth has helped them in close games.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. More on point spreads, line movement and our WNBA hub.