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76-44
This is kind of an unprecedented occurrence as up until this season the ASG has happened towards the middle of the sched not the tail end. For reference last season the ASG happened July 22nd and each team had about 14 games remaining in the season after the game. No game in 2016 due to the Olympics. In 2015 they played on July 25th and that left a whopping 18 games left in the season.
Teams only have 8 games remaining after this ASG which is kinda insane really b/c as tight as the standings are we could see a couple teams go 6-2 and leapfrog everyone, or conversely go 2-6 and be on the road for a single elim game.
Also the new format of mixing players from East and West on both teams is new. I can imagine there are 7 coaches out there that will be very interested how Brondello and Hughes handle their players. With the injury bug floating around and only an 8 game playoff push left I'd guess no one want to risk anything here, the players and the coaches want to put on a show but more importantly everyone wants to go home healthy and start the grind.
Maya will be checked out after getting MVP in last 2 ASG and being at home she will probably take a back seat and let someone else shine, as evidence by her passing on the team captaincy. Plus Minn has a tough sched w/ rd b2b to start the push for top 2 seed and the coveted bye. How will Hughes handle his 2 Sea players in Bird and Stewart, can't imagine he puts them in a position to get hurt or fatigued as their remaining sched is brutal w/ 5 out of 8 games on the road and a road b2b to boot. Conn has the most favorable sched remaining w/ rest and at home plus the finish the season hosting LA and Minny which is actually good b/c if either LA or Minny is locked into a seed by then those coaches will have their teams lay down to stay healthy.
Have to think Cambage is the choice for MVP as she has her teammate Skylar dishing to her and I'd love to see her posterize Griner.
All in all I get the feeling that there are a lot of anxious coaches ready to get this game behind them and refocus back on the remaining 8 left. How that affects the game is anyone's guess. Does not caring lead to higher or lower scoring? If the total keeps creeping up from the original opener I'll most likely play the under but will wait and see. This one will def be interesting to watch and see the head coaches chess match and how they handle minutes for key players.
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