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Liberty vs. Sky Game 2 Prediction and Odds for WNBA Playoffs First Round (Chicago Steps Up Their Defense Saturday)

By Ben Heisler

Aug 17, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket against Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker (3).
Aug 17, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket against Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker (3). / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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The New York Liberty not only stunned the Chicago Sky as near double-digit underdogs in Game 1 of their first round WNBA Playoff series, they turned the tables on Chicago in historic fashion.

With the Sky up 91-85 with 3:31 to go, Chicago got outscored 13-0, as the Liberty set a team record for points in a postseason game, as well as a top 3 largest run to end a playoff game.

Now, Chicago must win their next two games vs. New York to avoid being upset in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 2 taking place Saturday afternoon at noon ET.

One piece of good news for Chicago is leading scorer Kahleah Copper was not listed on the Game 2 injury report after suffering a non-contact injury in practice.

Can the Sky stave off elimination at home? Or will the Liberty continue their stunning turnaround and upset the defending champs in the first round?

Here are the odds for Game 2 Saturday afternoon over at BetMGM Sportsbook:

New York Liberty vs. Chicago Sky Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Liberty +8.5 (-105)
  • Sky -8.5 (-115)

Moneyline:

  • Liberty +330
  • Sky -450

Total:

  • 169.5 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

New York Liberty vs. Chicago Sky Prediction and Pick

In her postgame press conference Wednesday night, Sky forward and future WNBA Hall of Famer Candace Parker kept harping on her team's inability to get key stops against the New York Liberty in Game 1.

"Defensively, we have to do a better job. Rotations... if we're gonna put two on the ball, having pressure... We gotta run a fluid offense and get stops defensively."

I'm backing the defending champs to get those key stops Saturday afternoon for a few reasons.

New York's terrific offensive efficiency in Game 1 was not the team they were all throughout the regular season. On Thursday night, they had an offensive rating of 121. Over the regular season, that number was down at 99. The Liberty ranked 9th in points/game, 10th in possessions/40 minutes, and 9th in points/100 possessions. They've had some great offensive outbursts, but Thursday was not a reflection of who they truly were in a far larger sample.

New York's defense, despite giving up 91 to Chicago, has seen a resurgence in the second half; finishing with the third-best defensive efficiency in the league.

Furthermore, the Sky finished the year allowing just 81.3 PPG (4th), and ranked fourth overall in opponent points/100 possessions. Their defense down the stretch of the season wasn't great, but considering they still were a top 4 team indicates their ability on that side of the ball.

Between the Liberty's improved defense in the second half, as well as Chicago's urgency to slow down Ionescu and company offensively, I love the under in an early tip-off from Chicago.

PICK: Liberty vs. Sky UNDER 169.5 (-110)

BONUS PICK: Sky 1Q -2.5 (-115)

Follow all of Ben's betting plays in real-time HERE!

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