Sun vs. Liberty Odds
Sun Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -108 | 152.5 -110o / -110u | +164 |
Liberty Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -112 | 152.5 -110o / -110u | -198 |
The top two teams in the W, at least record-wise, are facing off in what will be each team's final game before the long All-Star and Olympics break.
The Connecticut Sun come off a dominant win over the Phoenix Mercury and have won four of their last five games. The host in the New York Liberty, have won their last three games, and eight of their last nine. The teams met just less than a week ago in Connecticut, with the Liberty prevailing 71-68.
Connecticut Sun
The Sun rebounded from their loss to New York by dismantling the Mercury, so they seem to be fine. Led by a balanced scoring attack that is paced by DeWanna Bonner's 17.1 points per game, the Sun average the eighth-most points in the league at just 80, but are third in offensive rating. Following Bonner, is Brionna Jones who's second in scoring at 13.1 points per game. Beyond them, Connecticut features five players who are averaging at least 11 points per outing.
Alyssa Thomas is one of them, and along with 11.2 points she's also pulling down 9.2 boards per game while dishing out 7.7 assists.
Connecticut's offensive numbers won't jump out at anyone in large part because they play with the slowest pace in the W. This complements a defense that is allowing the fewest points per game of any team with the second-best efficiency rating.
Even in last week's loss to the Liberty the Sun allowed just 71 points, which was New York's second-lowest total of the season and 15 below their average.
New York Liberty
The Liberty have been playing excellent basketball all season, heading into the break with the league's best record no matter what happens Tuesday. With two victories over the Sun already in the bag, a win would give New York the season series win and a potentially important tie breaker.
The star-studded team is led in scoring by Sabrina Ionescu, who is averaging 19.4 points to go along with 6.2 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. Her scoring output is just ahead of Breanna Stewart, who is herself scoring 19.3 points per game while collecting nine rebounds and four assists per matchup.
Jonquel Jones and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton round out the main scorers, and the quartet is a big reason for why the Liberty are averaging 86 points per game — the second-best total in the league.
Another factor is the team's propensity and ability to shoot the 3, as the Liberty attempt a league-most 29.8 per game while making 10.3. Ionescu takes the most at 8.2 per game, but seven players on the team average at least two 3-point shots per game.
It all gives New York the best offensive efficiency rating in the league, and in allowing just 77 points per game the Liberty also boast the W's fourth-best defensive efficiency mark.
Sun vs. Liberty
Betting Pick & Prediction
You could not have created a better matchup as the league heads into its long break.
The top two teams in the standings with their contrasting styles of play. The O/U is set at 152.5, which seems low given New York's ability to put the ball in the bucket but starts to make sense when you consider Connecticut's ability on the defensive end.
Though a long break looms this game has significant implications, so expect the players to be locked in and the scoring to suffer for it.