Published on: Jun 5, 2022 6:58 pm IST|Updated on: Jun 5, 2022 6:58 pm IST
NYL vs MIN Dream11: The WNBA season is showing its fangs and we have already seen some must-watch battles. However, it is still in the young stages, and as we will progress, injuries, poor rhythm, regrouping squads, and a lot of factors will come into play. The Aces have won nine out of 11 games and they are the top team in the league, so the standard has been set high. And the two teams in New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx, both struggling squads will meet here.
The Liberty had a horrid one win seven losses start but are currently on a two-game winning streak. In the last game, they took care of business against the Mystics 74:70 as Sabrina Ionescu rose up for 24 points. On the other hand, times have been trying for the Lynx, a team that has only won two of its ten games. In the last match, the Lynx lost the plot again as the Dream beat them 76:84 despite a 20 points effort by McBride. Can the Lynx get something going against a vulnerable Liberty squad?
Host: New York Liberty Visitors: Minnesota Lynx Match Timing: 5 June, @ 11:30 PM (+05:30 UTC) Venue: Barclays Center
Tough start for both teams
The Lynx’s offense has been a travesty so far and this is a team that needs an overhaul on that end. The team has mostly been in the 70s and their defense hasn’t been good enough. They are one of the worst three-point shooting teams and they are yet to identify a combination that can be effective offensively. Of course, not having Napheesa Collier automatically makes them way weaker on both ends of the floor. McBride has done well as an offensive option but the team lacks a playmaking Guard. Can Aerial Powers be more effective? Fowles has been getting it done as a rebounder and inside scorer.
The Liberty has faced troubles early on in the season. Pretty much the same struggles as the last season, offensive woes, streaky shooting, and their roster composition still haven’t been up-to-the-mark. And it boils down to how Sabrina Ionescu performs on the offensive end, and she had 20+ during the last two games. Apart from here, Rebecca Allen has hit some rhythm and if Stefanie Dolson gets it going, it will be a huge boost. Can the Liberty supporting cast cover it up when Ionescu is off her game?
Performance Predictions
Highest scorer: Sabrina Ionescu: 25 Highest rebounder: Sylvia Fowles: 13 Top assists maker: Sabrina Ionescu: 7 Score Prediction: Liberty 85 Lynx 79
Minnesota Lynx Teams News:
Lynx Expected Starting Five All-Around Forward: PF: Jessica Shephard Inside Presence: C: Sylvia Fowles Isolation Scorer: SG: Kayla McBride Rookie Guard; G: Evina Westbrook Sharpshooting Guard: SG: Rachel Banham
BENCH: Bridget Carleton, Kamiah Smalls, Aerial Powers, Nikolina Milic, Elissa Cunane.
New York Liberty Teams News:
Liberty Expected Starting Five Athletic Forward: PF: Natasha Forward Inside Presence: C: Stefanie Dolson Expert Ball-Handler Guard: G: Crystal Dangerfield Sharpshooting Guard: SG: Rebecca Allen Leading All-Around Ball-Handler: PG: Sabrina Ionescu
BENCH: Sam Whitcomb, Lorela Cubaj, Michaela Onyenwera, Ad Durr, Xu Han.
Sabrina Ionescu(NYL) Points: 24 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 03 Steals: 01 Ionescu is one of the deepest shooters whose scoring can be a huge factor while she is basically the backbone of the Liberty effort. I believe she will be in 18-25 points and 5-8 assists range. She can be selected as a Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 26-41
Sylvia Fowles(MIN) Points: 16 Rebounds: 20 Assists: 01 Steals: 02 Blocks: 01 Center Sylvia is an incredible rebounder, scorer, and rebounder, who continues to leave her imprint during the last season of her career. I believe she will be in 14-19 points, 10-15 rebounds, and 1-3 blocks/steals range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 30-41
Natasha Howard(NYL) Points: 17 Rebounds: 07 Assists: 01 Steals: 03 Blocks: 01 Howard shot 7/20 in the last game and she has been rather inefficient but plays an essential role on both ends of the floor. I expect a 14-21 points, 5-8 rebounds, and 1-2 blocks/steals range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 27-34
Kayla McBride(MIN) Points: 20 Rebounds: 05 Assists: 01 Steals: 01 Kayla made 7 of her 17 shots and she is an incredible factor on the offensive end, however, she has been not getting ample support. I believe she will be in 17-24 points range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 18-32
Rebecca Allen(NYL) Points: 11 Rebounds: 05 Assists: 02 Steals: 02 Rebecca made three of her six shots but will need to be more assertive on the offensive end. I expect a 9-15 points and 3-5 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 18-29
Aerial Powers(MIN) Points: 08 Rebounds: 04 Assists: 00 Steals: 01 Aerial made two of her five shots in the last game but her offensive influence is decreasing steadily. I believe she will be in 10-15 points and 4-6 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 13-25
(Recommended) PG: K McBride, C Dangerfield, S Ionescu(PP) SG: R Banham, R Allen SF: A Powers PF: N Howard C: S Fowles(SP)
(Alternate) PG: K McBride, S Ionescu(SP) SG: R Banham SF: A Powers PF: N Howard C: S Dolson, S Fowles(PP), H Xu
Can Ionescu take over the game here or will Fowles find a way to snatch a win here? You can catch this game on the WNBA League Pass where both live and replays are available. To know the scores, news, and stats, visit the official website of the WNBA.