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Tom Oldfield<\/a> 22+ years betting experience<\/p>\n \n Updated: \u2022 4 min read<\/p>\n With A’ja Wilson on the verge of returning, the Las Vegas Aces look to bounce back and flip the script as they visit the Portland Fire tonight.<\/p>\n Photo By – Reuters Connect. Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) reacts to scoring.<\/p>\n The last 10 days served as a stark reminder of A\u2019ja Wilson\u2019s importance to the Aces, with Las Vegas stumbling to a 1-2 record in her absence.<\/p>\n With the reigning MVP potentially returning to action tonight at the Moda Center, Becky Hammon’s squad is listed as a steep -380 favorite against the Portland Fire.<\/p>\n My top Aces vs. Fire predictions back Las Vegas to find their rhythm and deliver a decisive bounce-back win.<\/p>\n Read on for my free WNBA picks<\/a> and betting tips for this July 9 battle.<\/p>\n UPDATE: Added Carla Leite prop!<\/p>\n Aces vs Fire prediction For the Las Vegas Aces<\/a>, a 15-7 start has been fueled by a 9-3 mark on the road, including a 105-89 victory at the Portland Fire<\/a> last month.<\/p>\n I\u2019m banking on a similar script in this rematch, with A\u2019ja Wilson<\/a> on the comeback trail after an ankle injury and Chelsea Gray<\/a> and Jackie Young<\/a> ready to slide into supporting roles.<\/p>\n The Aces have won 10 of the last 12 contests where Wilson has featured, while the Fire had dropped three in a row before Saturday\u2019s win in Seattle. <\/p>\n I\u2019d still lay the points if the line crept up to 9.5.<\/p>\n Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account I see the Aces shaking off a tricky stretch and ripping through a Fire defense that\u2019s giving up 91.3 PPG, tied for second-most in the WNBA.<\/p>\n Look for Las Vegas\u2019 balanced offense to tip the scales. Gray knocked down nine 3-pointers in Portland in June on the way to 29 points, and she\u2019s ended up with 15+ points in three of her past seven outings.\u00a0<\/p>\n Young is shooting a steady 36% from downtown this season, and she\u2019s nailed the Over on 1.5 3-pointers in five of her past eight games. Plus, the Aces shot 14-for-28 on triples in the teams\u2019 prior meeting.<\/p>\n Aces vs Fire SGP (+225)<\/p>\n Aces moneyline Aces vs Fire player prop pick Carla Leite<\/a> has emerged as the Fire\u2019s leading scorer through the first portion of their inaugural WNBA season, and she\u2019s\u00a0averaging 20.0 PPG in her last five games, admittedly boosted by a 32-point effort in the 4OT thriller against the Washington Mystics.<\/p>\n Even better, Leite is getting to the free-throw line at an impressive clip, with 46 FTA across her last five contests, and this O\/U number feels too low.<\/p>\n Las Vegas struggled to contain Kelsey Mitchell in Sunday\u2019s loss to the Indiana Fever, and Leite should be able to get into the lane, even if Wilson returns tonight for the visitors.<\/p>\n Tom Oldfield’s 2026 Transparency Record<\/p>\n Best bet: 7-6, +1.45 units Aces vs Fire odds<\/p>\n Spread: Las Vegas -8.5 | Portland +8.5 Aces vs Fire trend<\/p>\n The Over is 5-1 in the Fire\u2019s last six games.\u00a0Find more\u00a0WNBA betting trends<\/a>.<\/p>\n How to watch Aces vs Fire<\/p>\n Location Date Tip-off TV Aces vs Fire latest injuries<\/p>\n
\n \u2022 Betting Analyst<\/p>\n
\nJul 9, 2026 , 03:58 PM ET<\/p>\n
\nAces vs Fire best bet: Aces -8.5 (-110)<\/p>\n![\"Covers\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783628592_916_logo.png\"){kind=logo}
COVERS INTEL: The Aces are 7-4 ATS on the road this year, and they\u2019re averaging 91.8 PPG on their travels \u2013 the third-best mark in the league.<\/p>\n![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783628592_373_google-preferred-source-badge.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/a>Aces vs Fire same-game parlay<\/p>\n
\nChelsea Gray Over 13.5 points
\nJackie Young Over 1.5 3-pointers<\/p>\n
\nCarla Leite Over 14.5 points (-115)<\/p>\n
\nSGP: 2-11, -3.75 units
\nPlayer prop: 1-1, -0.2 units<\/p>\n
\nMoneyline: Las Vegas -380 | Portland +300
\nOver\/Under: Over 174.5 | Under 174.5<\/p>\n
\nModa Center, Portland, OR<\/p>\n
\nThursday, July 9, 2026<\/p>\n
\n10 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
\nKMCC, KPDX<\/p>\n