Even OT couldn't get us Over yesterday with MIA/SEA. Sorry guys, it was pathetic shooting by both teams that did us in.
BEST BET: New York Liberty -6
I think the Liberty got a wake-up call in that 44 point performance at The Garden vs Portland last week.
In their following game, they got a double-digit win against an improved SEA team.
As I mentioned in the write-up on that SEA game:
"The Liberty started the season out well but have lost five of their last six (now seven). Part of their problem has been that the team has compensated for its lack of size over the years by using a full-court press, but ankle injuries to Tari Phillips and Sue Wicks have hurt the teams D in the last few games.
Phllips played 33 minutes on Sunday vs Portland but Wicks, who missed the two previous games, played just 14 minutes.
IMO the Liberty D is still a couple of games away from being at full strength."
Wickes played 17 minutes vs SEA but that game was almost a week ago. The Liberty haven't played since last Tuesday so they're well-rested and hopefully Wickes is closer to 100%.
On the other hand, Phoenix is playing their 4th road game in a week. And they play again Tuesday night at Washington. All of these road games have been on the East Coast, meaning PHO hasn't been home in a week and they've been living in hotels and practicing in strange places. The Mercury have also got to be down, losing their L4 in a row. They played some tough games on the road earlier in the season, staying with 5 and 2 in two games at Houston. But last weeks 22 point loss at CHA and 25 point loss at MIA suggest that they're a different team now.
Phoenix is 0-6 on the road but this stat is somewhat deceiving as they've played some good teams and lost some close games. But FWIW, the Mercury have lost 12 straight road games dating back to last season.
The Liberty match up well vs PHO, as New York's strength is its D. PHO has a weak D which will help the Liberty, as their O is among the worst in the league. PHO is also not a tall team which puts them the Liberty on more equal footing in terms of rebounding.
The Liberty, the pre-season favorite to win the Eastern Conference, are currently in 4th place. They need to take games like this if they're going to make a run for the playoffs.
Phoenix is a decent team and I don't think New York will take them lightly. But the crazy WNBA scheduling and home court advantage certainly favor the Liberty here.
I also played Indiana -2.5 based on a somewhat similar rationale:
- a floundering CLE is playing its third game in the L4 days
- IND plays much better at home
- revenge
gl
- Jon
BEST BET: New York Liberty -6
I think the Liberty got a wake-up call in that 44 point performance at The Garden vs Portland last week.
In their following game, they got a double-digit win against an improved SEA team.
As I mentioned in the write-up on that SEA game:
"The Liberty started the season out well but have lost five of their last six (now seven). Part of their problem has been that the team has compensated for its lack of size over the years by using a full-court press, but ankle injuries to Tari Phillips and Sue Wicks have hurt the teams D in the last few games.
Phllips played 33 minutes on Sunday vs Portland but Wicks, who missed the two previous games, played just 14 minutes.
IMO the Liberty D is still a couple of games away from being at full strength."
Wickes played 17 minutes vs SEA but that game was almost a week ago. The Liberty haven't played since last Tuesday so they're well-rested and hopefully Wickes is closer to 100%.
On the other hand, Phoenix is playing their 4th road game in a week. And they play again Tuesday night at Washington. All of these road games have been on the East Coast, meaning PHO hasn't been home in a week and they've been living in hotels and practicing in strange places. The Mercury have also got to be down, losing their L4 in a row. They played some tough games on the road earlier in the season, staying with 5 and 2 in two games at Houston. But last weeks 22 point loss at CHA and 25 point loss at MIA suggest that they're a different team now.
Phoenix is 0-6 on the road but this stat is somewhat deceiving as they've played some good teams and lost some close games. But FWIW, the Mercury have lost 12 straight road games dating back to last season.
The Liberty match up well vs PHO, as New York's strength is its D. PHO has a weak D which will help the Liberty, as their O is among the worst in the league. PHO is also not a tall team which puts them the Liberty on more equal footing in terms of rebounding.
The Liberty, the pre-season favorite to win the Eastern Conference, are currently in 4th place. They need to take games like this if they're going to make a run for the playoffs.
Phoenix is a decent team and I don't think New York will take them lightly. But the crazy WNBA scheduling and home court advantage certainly favor the Liberty here.
I also played Indiana -2.5 based on a somewhat similar rationale:
- a floundering CLE is playing its third game in the L4 days
- IND plays much better at home
- revenge
gl
- Jon
