Published on: Jul 31, 2022 8:59 pm IST|Updated on: Jul 31, 2022 9:05 pm IST
NYL vs PHO Dream11: The WNBA is just a couple of weeks away from the Playoffs window and we have entered a tricky phase of the season as the stakes and places for the last few places get ever-so-high. In this game of the WNBA, the New York Liberty will face off Phoenix Mercury in an important game.
The New York Liberty has had another tough season, and they have just won 10 games and lost 18 matches. They have lost eight of the last ten games and their season hasn’t been up-to-the-mark. In their last game, the Liberty lost to the Sky 81-89 in another disappointing performance.
Meanwhile, the Mercury has had a whirlwind of a season. They began slow but recovered from a 2 wins and 8 losses start to be with 13 wins and 16 losses, meaning they have won 11 and lost eight games since then. In their last game, the Mercury defeated the Sparks 90-80 as Diana Taurasi posted 30 points.
In the only game between the two teams, the Mercury defeated the Liberty 84-81.
Home: New York Liberty Visitors: Phoenix Mercury Match Timing: 31 July, @ 11:30 PM (+05:30 UTC) Venue: Barclays Center
Liberty has not found their groove
The Liberty has been unable to cope with the intensity of oppositions, their offense has been strangely off the mark. It is a mystery because they are loaded with shooters like Ionescu, Rebecca, Johannes, and Whircomb. The team has been unable to figure out the rotations as the starters keep shuffling.
This is a rather disappoint tale for a team that has been horrendous with the shot-selection and it seems like that Sabrina Ionescu is still finding her feet in the league despite being one of the best all-around players. Natasha Howard has been inspiring but overall, the team has been unable to identify combinations that can pull them through.
Mercury has improved
Seems like the sepeartiaon of Tina Charles and Mercury has benefited both the parties. The Mercury has gone small-ball since then and inserting Cunningham and Peddy alongside Taurasi and Diggins-Smith have made it a four-guard rotation whereas Brianna Turner acts as the defensvie achor as the inside defender.
Diana Taurasi has been in sweet rhythm these days, having found her stroke whereas Skylar Diggins-Smith continues to be her dominating self on both ends. Sophie Cunningham is having the best season of her life but the team has been playing without vital bench player Diamond DeShields as Peddy has been given bigger duties in a shortened rotation.
Performance Predictions
Highest scorer: Skylar Diggins-Smith: 30 Highest rebounder: Natasha Howard: 9 Top assists maker: Sabrina Ionescu: 8 Score Prediction: Mercury 88 Liberty 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 Off-The-Ball Guard: SG: Rebecca Allen Leading All-Around Ball-Handler: PG: Sabrina Ionescu
BENCH: Sam Whitcomb, Marine Johannes, Jocelyn Willoughoby, 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, Reshanda Gray, Jennie Simms, Kaela Davis, Sam Thomas.
Skylar Diggins-Smith(PHO) Points: 27 Rebounds: 05 Assists: 06 Steals: 01 Blocks: 01 Diggins-Smith continues to be one of the best players in the league and can contribute on both ends of the floor. I believe she will be in 23-31 points, 4-7 rebounds, and 4-7 assists range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 31-41
Sabrina Ionescu(NYL) Points: 16 Rebounds: 04 Assists: 06 Guard Ionescu has had a profound impact as an all-around player but her overall shooting has suffered a lot at times. I believe she will be in 17-23 points, 6-9 assists,a nd 5-8 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: 30 Rebounds: 06 Assists: 02 Steals: 02 Guard Taurasi has done a great job at shooting the ball lately and continues to showcase her best even at this game. I believe she will be in 20-26 points and 3-6 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 18-30
Natasha Howard(NYL) Points: 15 Rebounds: 10 Assists: 04 Steals: 03 Blocks: 02 Forward Natasha has been a huge factor both as a scorer and rebounder, also providing more than serviceable defense. I believe she will be in 13-19 points, 8-12 rebounds, and 1-3 steals/blocks range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 23-33
Sophie Cunningham(PHO) Points: 08 Rebounds: 01 Assists: 02 Steals: 03 Cunningham has been doing an amazing job at shooting the ball lately and is having the best season of her life. I believe she will be in 13-19 points and 1-3 steals range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 20-31
Marine Johannes(NYL) Points: 13 Rebounds: 01 Assists: 05 Guard Johannes has a sweet shooting stroke and has shuffled between starting and bench roles. I believe the sharpshooter and strong playmaker will be in 11-17 points and 4-7 assists range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 23-33
(Recommended) PG: S Diggins-Smith(PP), S Peddy, S Ionescu(SP) SG: R Allen SF : S Whitcomb PF: S Cunningham C: H Xu, M Gustafson
(Alternate) PG: S Ionescu(SP), S Peddy SG: M Johannes, D Taurasi(PP) SF : S Whitcomb PF: S Cunningham, M Onyenwere C: S Dolson
Skylar Diggins-Smith taking on Sabrina Ionescu, who will come on top here? 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.