The New York Liberty head to Gateway Center Arena on Saturday afternoon to face the Atlanta Dream in a 2:00 PM EDT Eastern Conference showdown, airing on CBS. Tickets start as low as $15, making it a hot ticket for College Park fans. The Liberty, with a dominant 22-14 record, are 5.5-point road favorites with an over/under of 166.5 points, coming off a tight 91-85 loss to Chicago. The Dream, sitting at 23-13, are riding a three-game win streak and looking to climb the playoff seeding ladder. With New York leading the season series 2-1, this game promises fireworks.
Position-by-Position Breakdown
Point Guard – Sabrina Ionescu runs the Liberty’s offense with flair, averaging 19.2 points and 6.3 assists, though she’s coming off a tough 5-of-15 shooting night. Jordin Canada leads Atlanta with 8.7 points and 6.2 assists, bringing speed and defensive pressure to disrupt New York’s rhythm.
Shooting Guard – Courtney Vandersloot provides veteran savvy for the Liberty, chipping in 6.8 assists and timely buckets. Allisha Gray is Atlanta’s top scorer at 18.8 points per game, a two-way threat who can light it up from deep, as shown in her 20-point, nine-rebound game against New York in June.
Small Forward – Breanna Stewart, New York’s MVP, dominates with 20.8 points and 9.0 rebounds, a matchup nightmare on both ends. Rhyne Howard counters for the Dream with 16.8 points, but her status is questionable after a knee injury sidelined her earlier this season.
Power Forward – Jonquel Jones anchors the Liberty with 15.4 points and 8.6 rebounds, fresh off a 25-point performance against Chicago. Naz Hillmon gives Atlanta hustle and 10.2 points off the bench, stepping up big with 21 points in a recent win.
Center – Kayla Thornton rounds out New York’s lineup with defensive grit and hustle, averaging 6.1 points. Tina Charles leads the Dream with 16.1 points and 8.3 rebounds, a veteran force ready to battle in the paint.
Game Outlook
The Liberty are a powerhouse, ranking second in offense (86.4 PPG) and defense (81.7 PPG allowed), but their recent loss to Chicago exposed some vulnerabilities. Atlanta’s been hot, with a 23-13 record and a league-second-best 77.4 PPG allowed, though their offense ranks fourth (83.4 PPG). New York won their last meeting 79-72 on July 14, led by Leonie Fiebich’s 21 points, but Atlanta took a 90-81 victory on June 29, powered by Charles and Gray. Both teams play at a moderate pace, with the Dream slightly faster (seventh in the league). If Howard plays, Atlanta could keep it close with their home crowd, but New York’s depth and star power should shine through if Ionescu and Stewart find their rhythm.
Best Bets
- New York Liberty -5.5 – The Liberty’s elite offense and defensive balance make them a solid pick to cover on the road, especially with their 2-1 series lead.
- Over 166.5 Total Points – Both teams’ top-five offenses and Atlanta’s fast pace suggest this game could push past the total, as seen in their 171-point June meeting.
- Breanna Stewart Over 21.5 Points – Stewart’s cleared this mark in 14 of her last 20 games and should feast against Atlanta’s ninth-ranked defense.
Final Score Prediction
New York Liberty 87 – Atlanta Dream 80
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