Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 | 11:23 a.m.
The sixth season of the annual Play of the Day betting competition between the Sun's sports staff is now underway, effective July 1.
Bankrolls start at $10,000 for each of the four participants, with the objective to increase it as much as possible over the next year. The minimum daily wager is $300, with a $200 penalty assessed for failing to place a bet on an assigned day.
Past winners are Case Keefer in 2018-19 and 2017-2018, Ray Brewer in 2016-2017 and 2015-2016, and Taylor Bern in 2014-2015.
Las Vegas Aces minus-8.5 vs. Phoenix Mercury, $440 to win $400:
The Aces have one of their stars back, and the Mercury have one returning and another sitting out. A'ja Wilson is back for the Aces in a big way, scoring 25 in her emphatic return Sunday night. For Phoenix, Britney Griner returns from suspension, while Diana Taurasi will be serving one tonight.
The Mercury did well during Griner's suspension, but their wins came against the Dream and Liberty, who are the bottom two teams in the league. Outside of wins against the league-leading Mystics, as well as two-point win against Las Vegas earlier this year, Phoenix has struggled against the league's best.
Phoenix is 13-13 and is facing the best team in the West on the road tonight. The Aces have won three in a row and have Wilson back against a still-Taurasi-less Mercury. Las Vegas should win and cover.
Current Standings: Grimala (3-1, $10,425), Emerson (3-4, $8,730), Keefer (2-4, $7,305), Brewer (2-8, $6,375).
