The third game of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Finals is on the horizon, with the Minnesota Lynx set to take on the New York Liberty once again. Analysts at Sportsmacro have crafted an exclusive prediction for this pivotal matchup.
Minnesota Lynx
Making it to the WNBA Finals is a notable achievement for Minnesota, though it comes as no surprise. The Lynx demonstrated consistent performance throughout the season, finishing second in the regular season standings. In the playoffs, they swept the Phoenix Mercury 2-0 and narrowly defeated the Connecticut Sun 3-2 in a thrilling series.
Their finals opponent is tough, but Minnesota has shown resilience on the road, keeping their championship hopes alive. Home-court advantage will be vital, and the team will need to leverage strong fan support to seize this opportunity.
New York Liberty
Even before the season started, the Liberty were regarded as the frontrunners for the title, driven by a determination to prove that last year’s Finals loss was an anomaly.
The team dominated the regular season and carried that momentum into the playoffs, quickly sweeping the Atlanta Dream 2-0 and then defeating the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, 3-1. At times, the Liberty have appeared unstoppable, but they have also shown moments of vulnerability, as evidenced in Game 1 against Minnesota, where they lost despite having what seemed like control of the game.
Key Facts about the match
- Minnesota has triumphed in 4 of their 5 home games during this season’s playoffs.
- The Liberty have played two road games in the playoffs, achieving one win and one loss.
- Current betting odds for the match are as follows: Minnesota Lynx – 2.37, New York Liberty – 1.59.
Key players
The key player to watch in this matchup is Brianna Stewart, the Liberty’s forward, who is averaging 20 points and 8 rebounds in the playoffs. Her leadership and performance will be vital for New York’s success.
Head-to-Head (H2H)
The series is currently tied at 1-1, but it’s evident that Minnesota is having difficulty containing their opponent’s offensive firepower.
Minnesota Lynx vs New York Liberty Prediction
Even on the road, the Liberty are considered slight favorites, a fair assessment given the strength of their roster. However, they’ll need to prove their superiority on the court. In high-stakes situations, teams often prioritize results, which could result in a lower-scoring game. With that in mind, betting on the total points to be under 161.5 appears to be a solid option.