[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The New York Liberty (25-7) travel to meet the Connecticut Sun (23-10) Thursday. Tip-off from Mohegan Sun Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (Prime Video). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Liberty vs. Sun odds, and make our expert WNBA picks and predictions.
It’s been a great season for the Liberty so far, as New York has already clinched a playoff berth, while winning the Commissioner’s Cup. However, it leads the Eastern Conference by just 2 1/2 games over the Sun.
The Liberty have posted wins in 7 of the past 8 regular-season games, while covering 5 of the previous 6 outings. The Under is on a 7-1 run across the past 8 regular-season games, and 8-1 in the past 9 if you toss in the Commissioner’s Cup win over Las Vegas on Aug. 15.
The Sun won 68-64 last time out in Washington on Tuesday, pushing at most shops. The Sun is just 1-3-1 against the spread (ATS) across the past 5 games, with the Under hitting in each of the past 2 outings.
These 2 teams are the only ones in the East with a positive point differential. The Liberty won the first 2 battles this season, taking an 81-65 decision on May 27 in Brooklyn to cover a 6.5-point number as the Under (164.5) cashed, while winning 89-81 in Connecticut as 4.5-point favorites, while the Over (168.5) came through.
Liberty at Sun odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:41 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Liberty -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Sun +195 (bet $100 to win $195)
- Against the spread (ATS): Liberty -6.5 (-105) | Sun +6.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 165.5 (O: -110) | U: -110)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Liberty at Sun picks and predictions
Prediction
Liberty 79, Sun 73
Moneyline
The Liberty (-250) is quite attractive straight up, since New York has won the first 2 meetings by an average of 12.0 points per game (PPG). However, risking 2 1/2 times your potential return on a road team isn’t the best course of action. That’s too risky, and over the long haul, it’s a losing proposition.
PASS.
Against the spread
NEW YORK -6.5 (-105) is the lean, ever so slightly. I expect this one to come down to free throws at the end to determine who covers. The good news for Liberty backers is that they’re No. 2 in the WNBA in free-throw percentage at 82.5%, while also ranking No. 2 in points per game (88.5), field-goal percentage (45.5%) and 3-pointer percentage (37.9%).
Connecticut +6.5 (-115) is a very good team, but it has yet to be able to solve the Lib straight up, or against the number, in the previous 2 meetings.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
The UNDER 165.5 (-110) is the play, but like the side, I’d do lightly on this one.
The Under has been dominating for the Liberty lately, cashing in 7 of the past 8 regular-season games, as well as the Commissioner’s Cup win in Las Vegas on Aug. 15.
Like New York, Connecticut has fill up the basket with points, averaging 82.9 PPG. However, the Sun has the best D in the WNBA, allowing just 78.7 PPG, while holding the opposition to 31.3% from behind the arc, good for 2nd in the league.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Access NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Spurs Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=3729]