Las Vegas Aces center A’Ja Wilson (22) takes a shot over the Indiana Fever forward Brianna Turner (11) in game 2 of the WNBA playoffs at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

LAS VEGAS–The Las Vegas Aces (1-1) played a spectacular game Tuesday night beating the Indiana Fever (1-1) 90-68. Tonight’s game was a complete contrast to the game they played Sunday night. They controlled the pace of the game and they continued to extend their lead with each quarter busting the game wide open in the fourth quarter.

A’Ja Wilson was back in form hitting 25 points, nine rebounds with five steals. Nalyssa Smith finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. They held Indiana to 40% shooting in this game. They were spotless.

Game recap: What a difference a day makes as Las Vegas took command of this game winning the opening quarter 26-17. The Fever fought back going on a 8-0 run in the second quarter but Las Vegas continued to lead going into halftime leading 46-35.

Wilson was much more efficient in this game. The Aces were really spreading the floor, staying focused in this hotly contested matchup. The Fever’s Lexie Hull and Kelsey Mitchell both had double digits in the first half.

Wilson finished the first half with 15 points, Jackie Young and Nalyssa Smith had ten points apiece. They led at the half 46-35 and they would have to keep dictating the pace throughout the second half.

The Aces were piling up the personal fouls though, Young with three, Nalyssa Smith with four and Chelsea Gray with two. This was something they had to clean up in the second half. They had as much as an 18 point lead in the first half.

The Aces began to extend their lead after the Fever had cut the Las Vegas lead to single digits. Mid-Way through the third quarter, the Aces had taken a 59-44 lead going on a 7-0 run. The contrast between Sunday’s game and Tuesday night’s was vast and that was apparent on the scoreboard.

Their defense was a huge part of their success tonight. The Aces had really shown up for Tuesday night’s game. Through three quarters the Aces were shooting at 60% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.

The Fever were 35% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc, quite a disparity. Pinpoint passes, offensive excellence and some great defense gave the Aces their largest lead of the game with 1:00 left in the third 69-47. After three full quarters the Aces had a 70-52 lead.

The entire team had to step up in this game and they sure answered the call. They did not want to have to go to Indiana trailing by two games. They would have to continue to control the pace and disrupt the Fever’s rhythm for one more quarter to close out this game.

The Aces broke this game wide open at 6:55 in the fourth quarter taking a 80-56 lead. Indiana continued to shoot poorly and their turnovers were really hurting them committing 22 conceding 28 points off those turnovers.

Indiana only had six points off their bench while the Aces had 24 points. Las Vegas played the kind of game we are used to seeing them play. They were spot-on.

Game notes: After playing a lack luster game one, Aces tied up their series with the Fever with a win in game two. In game one Sunday night the Aces were outplayed from the field, from beyond the arc and defensively.

Wilson had not only a slow start but only scored four points in the third quarter missing four shots. She really struggled in the fourth quarter only taking one shot that missed and coming away empty in the entire quarter in the 89-73 loss.

The Fever outscored the Aces in all four quarters keeping Las Vegas from making any kind of comeback. Indiana was able to contain WIlson only allowing her to score 16 points but she did have a double double with 13 rebounds. The Fever controlled the pace of the game throughout and the Aces were able to reverse that trend and take control of game two from the start.

The two teams will now head back to Indiana enjoying a few days off before they play game three on Friday night with tip-off scheduled for 4:30 PM. While the perfect scenario for the Aces would be to finish the series in Indiana with wins in games 3 and 4. The Aces are looking to take at least one game.

Las Vegas would play the fifth game of the series should that happen on Sep 30th in Vegas. The team needs to bring the same energy into the next two games and they could very well finish this series sooner rather than later.