NYL vs PHO Dream11: The WNBA has reached the midway point and we have seen another incredible season that has lived up to its footing. In a couple of days, we will be heading to the WNBA All-Star game which will feature the best of the best in the league. Before that, the New York Liberty will host the Phoenix Mercury.
The New York Liberty had a start-stop campaign or rather a stop-start one. They began the season with just 1 win and seven losses, then had a strong recovery but then lost their way again. However, they will come into the game after registering a statement 116:107 win against the Las Vegas Aces as Sabrina Ionescu popped off for 31 points. In fact, the same goes for the Phoenix Mercury, another team that had a terrible season so far if we consider that they were the Finalists last season. They have registered 14 losses and just 9 wins. They will come into this game after losing to the Sparks 75-78 despite a 22 points outing by Skylar Diggins-Smith. Can the Mercury figure out their way here?
Home: Phoenix Mercury
Visitors: New York Liberty
Match Timing: 8 July, @ 07:30 AM (+05:30 UTC)
Venue: Footprint Center
Liberty needs Ionescu to click
The theme is simple; Ionescu has a big night, and Liberty has a better chance of winning. During their losses, Sabrina has been unable to deal with the double/triple teams thrown at her at the perimeter, which has gotten her out of the rhythm. The team has been certainly better since the inclusion of Marine Johannes, who has fixed the long-range woes and Natasha Howard has been a decent option as well. Xu Han has given a boost off the bench but the Liberty needs more cohesion and a winning streak desperately.
Mercury’s defense is off and the offense lacks the edge
Without Britney Griner, Mercury’s offense and defense both have been exposed. They miss her stellar help defense, rebounding, inside scoring, and just the overall impact. This is why the Mercury has become from a championship-level team to a low-tier Playoffs team. After a hot start to the season, Diana Taurasi’s offense has kissed goodbye but Skylar Diggins-Smith has done her job. Sophie Cunningham has been on fire but the team lacks a big player that can score inside and the departure of Tina Charles has exacerbated that problem.
Performance Predictions
Highest scorer: Sabrina Ionescu: 26
Highest rebounder: Sabrina Ionescu: 11
Top assists maker: Sabrina Ionescu: 9
Score Prediction: Liberty: 87 Mercury: 82
New York Liberty Team News:
Liberty Expected Starting Five
Athletic Forward: PF: Natasha Howard
Physical Presence: C: Stefanie Dolson
Expert Ball-Handler: G: Crystal Dangerfield
Laser shooter and Playmaker: SG: Marine Johannes
Leading All-Around Ball-Handler: PG: Sabrina Ionescu
BENCH: Sam Whitcomb, Lorela Cubaj, Michaela Onyenwera, Xu Han.
Phoenix Mercury Teams News:
Mercury Expected Starting Five
Post Forward: F: Brianna Turner
Defensive Threat and Off-Ball Shooter: F: Sophie Cunningham
Two-Way Energy Bunny: G: Shey Peddy
Isolation Scorer: PG: Skylar Diggins-Smith
Playmaking and Long-Range Guard: PG: Diana Taurasi
BENCH: Megan Gustafson, Karlie Samuelson, Diamond DeShields, Sam Thomas, Kristine Anigwe.
Skylar Diggins-Smith(PHO)
Points: 22
Rebounds: 04
Assists: 05
Steals: 01
Blocks: 01
Skylar continues having a stellar scoring season and she has come alive time and time again, only for her team to fall short. I believe she will be in 21-25 points, 4-6 assists, and 4-6 rebounds range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 31-41
Sabrina Ionescu(NYL)
Points: 31
Rebounds: 13
Assists: 10
Guard Sabrina has been in a brilliant touch but she will help her team out more if she developed a more consistent offensive game. I believe she will be in 20+ points, 9-12 assists, and 8-11 rebounds range. She can be selected as a Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 Prediction scenario.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 38-52
Diana Taurasi(PHO)
Points: 13
Rebounds: 00
Assists: 06
Diana has been doing a woeful job of shooting the ball recently after she had started on a hot note to begin the season. I believe she will be in 14-19 points and 4-7 assists range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 18-30
Natasha Howard(NYL)
Points: 18
Rebounds: 06
Assists: 03
Blocks: 01
Howard has been incredible in terms of scoring the ball, and grabbing rebounds and she has been a big factor for the Liberty. I believe she will be in 14-19 points and 5-9 rebounds range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 23-33
Shey Peddy(PHO)
Points: 10
Rebounds: 06
Assists: 03
Steals: 04
Guard Shey has been electric this season but perhaps will need to do more on the offensive end as her team is lacking a bit. I believe she will be in 12-17 points range here
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 20-31
Marine Johannes(NYL)
Points: 11
Rebounds: 01
Assists: 09
Steals: 01
Guard Marine has been nailing her long-ball and her playmaking has been on point too thus far. I believe she will be in 12-18 points and 4-7 assists range here.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 23-33
(Recommended)
PG: S Diggins-Smith(PP), S Whitcomb, S Ionescu(SP)
SG: M Johannes, D Richards
SF: D DeShields
PF: S Cunningham
C: H Xu
(Alternate)
PG: S Peddy, S Ionescu(SP)
SG: M Johannes
SF : R Gray
PF: S Cunningham, N Howard(PP)
C: B Turner, H Xu
How will it be when veteran Skylar Diggins-Smith takes on the blooming Sabrina Ionescu? You can watch this amazing battle on the WNBA League Pass an avenue to get hold of all the live games and you can also watch the full-game replays. To learn the scores, news, and stats, go to the official website of the WNBA.