Rebuilding Liberty Struggle vs Sun
It would be hard to find a series in the WNBA dominated more lopsided in recent years than the one between the New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun. Not only has Connecticut won 10 of the last 11 games, but the average margin of victory for Connecticut is 16.3 points.
This could be an offensive showcase. Connecticut is third in the WNBA with an average of 87.4 points per game during the month of June and New York comes in fifth at 82.3. However, it should be noted that five of the last seven games between the teams went under the total.
Connecticut (+275) has the second-best odds to win the WNBA championship according to the sportsbook. New York is well back at +10000.
Let’s check the latest WNBA picks, stats, injury reports, and WNBA odds for Liberty vs Sun. We’ve plenty of WNBA championship odds for you to consider.
Liberty’s Patience Rewarded
Back in 2019, the New York Liberty fans got a glimpse of the future when second-round pick Han Xu played in 18 games and Marine Johannes put up 7.2 points and 2.4 assists in 18 minutes over 19 games.
Neither player would play in the WNBA in either 2020 or 2021. Once head coach Sandy Brondello began to give the 6-foot-10 Xu playing time, she became one of New York’s most reliable offensive options. Now the 5-foot-10 Johannes has returned to the Liberty.
Johannes made her season debut by scoring 11 points and handing out six assists in a win over Indiana. The last time out, Johannes was 5 of 8 from 3-point range en route to scoring 23 points in a loss to Seattle.
The Highlight of the Game presented by @Withings is @MarineJ5 trey in the third quarter. She’s tuff!🗽 pic.twitter.com/y9VSXUHvYA
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) June 19, 2022
With Xu averaging 11.8 points over the last five games, the Liberty suddenly have other scoring options to take some of the pressure off Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Howard.
New York has covered against the WNBA betting lines in four of its last six home games.
Connecticut Eager to Bounce Back
The magic number is 82 for the Connecticut Sun. Connecticut has won its last 15 games when scoring at least 82 points. All five of the losses this season by the Sun came when they were held under 82 points. That included a season-opening loss to New York when starters DeWanna Bonner and Courtney Williams did not play.
It would be quite the understatement to suggest that Connecticut played better in the rematch 10 days later. Connecticut had 16 steals and New York committed 32 turnovers in the Sun’s 92-65 victory.
This will be the first of two home dates with the Liberty. Connecticut will be looking to shake off a forgettable offensive showing. The Sun finished with a season-low 63 points despite pulling down 11 offensive rebounds in a loss at Washington. All five starters shot less than 50 percent from the field while five different players had at least two turnovers.
Connecticut is 4-0 following losses and is averaging 93.3 points in those bounce-back games.
Something of note for those who bet online: Four of Connecticut’s last five home games finished under the total.
Liberty vs Sun Game Information
- Game: Liberty 6-10 (2-4 on the road); Sun 12-5 (7-2 at home)
- Location: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
- Day/Time: Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET
- Liberty vs Sun Streaming: NBA Game Pass
Liberty vs Sun Betting Lines
| Team | Handicap | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
| New York Liberty | +10 -110 | +375 | 162 -110o | 76 -115o
76 -115u |
| Connecticut Sun | -10 -110 | -475 | 162 -110u | 86 -115o
86 -115u |
Liberty vs Sun Prediction
This might not be the best time for the New York Liberty to be facing the Connecticut Sun. The Sun are coming off an eight-point loss to Washington. Reigning WNBA Most Valuable Player Jonquel Jones is averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds after losses.
New York is a much improved team from the start of the season. Much of that can be traced to taking better care of the ball. Only Atlanta averaged more turnovers per game during the month of May than New York’s total of 19.3. The Liberty had a scoring differential of -14.9 while stumbling their way to a 1-7 record.
It’s been a different story in June as the turnovers have fallen to 12.9 and the scoring margin is +5.5. This is the fourth time in the last eight meetings that Connecticut is a double-digit favorite. The Sun are 3-1 in those previous games and 2-1-1 against the spread.
Connecticut figures to take care of business, although the 10-point spread might be a bit high when facing an improved New York team even though Rebecca Allen (concussion), Betnijah Laney (knee) and Jocelyn Willoughby (knee) continue to be sidelined.
