New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics Preview, Prediction and Odds - 5/21/21
A pair of Eastern Conference teams take the floor looking to pick up a victory in the nation’s capital. The New York Liberty are on the road as they travel to face the Washington Mystics Friday night. New York comes in off an 86-75 home victory over Minnesota Tuesday night in their most recent contest. Washington was drubbed 91-70 at home by Phoenix in their most recent game Tuesday night. Last season, the teams split two meetings with the Mystics earning a 75-58 road triumph in the most recent matchup on September 12, 2020. The road team has prevailed in five of the last six meetings while the Mystics have won eight of the last 10 matchups.
New York Liberty Seeking to Remain Unbeaten
New York ran their win streak to three to open the year as they took care of business against the Lynx on Tuesday night. The Liberty entered Thursday one of two 3-0 teams in the WNBA as they were tied with the Connecticut Sun for the top spot in both the Eastern Conference and the league in general. Against Minnesota, New York trailed 4-0 early, reeled off a 15-0 run to go up 11, only to see their lead trimmed to two after one quarter. The Liberty trailed by two at the half but took control with a 7-2 run midway through the third quarter to break a 47-47 tie and went on to the victory. New York shot 44.8% from the field, including 12 of 27 from three-point range, and overcame 16 turnovers by limiting Minnesota to 37.8% shooting in the game. Sabrina Ionescu recorded the first triple-double in franchise history with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in the win.
The Liberty comes into this contest 5th in the league in scoring offense with an average of 83 points per game. New York is 10th in rebounding (35.3 boards a night) and fourth with 20.3 assists per contest. The Liberty ranks fourth in the league in scoring defense by allowing 75.7 points per game. Betnijah Laney leads the Liberty with 23.3 points plus 3.7 assists a night this season. Sabrina Ionescu (21 points, seven rebounds, nine assists) and Michaela Onyenwere (12 points, four boards) are also averaging in double figures. Sami Whitcomb, Kylee Shook, Rebecca Allen, Jazmine Jones, Reshanda Gray and DiDi Richards are key contributors for coach Walt Hopkins. New York is 5th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 43.9% from the floor as a team. The Liberty is leading the league in made threes per game (11.3) while ranking 3rd in three-point shooting at 43.6%. New York is 3rd in free throw percentage as they cash in 83.7% of their chances at the stripe.
Washington Mystics Trying for First Win of Season
Washington was crushed at home by Phoenix in their most recent contest as they took a beating. The Mystics fell to 0-2 on the season and try to earn their first win of the year by upending the unbeaten Liberty. Against Phoenix, Washington trailed 8-0 early before tying the game with eight straight points of their own. The Mystics were down three after one quarter, by seven at the half and by 12 after three quarters as the Mercury slowly pulled away. Washington never led in the contest as they went down in defeat. The Mystics shot a miserable 30.7% from the floor, including five of 27 from three-point range, and were dominated on the glass 50-34. Tina Charles led Washington with 22 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
The Mystics are last in the league in scoring offense with an average of 63 points per contest this season. Washington comes in fourth in the league in rebounding (39 boards per game) and is 12th in assists by handing out 13.5 dimes a night. The Mystics are sixth in the league in scoring defense by allowing an average of 80.5 points a contest. Tina Charles leads the Mystics with 18 points and nine rebounds per contest this season. Natasha Cloud is the other player scoring in double figures as she puts up 13 points a night. Erica McCall, Ariel Atkins, Theresa Plaisance, Sydney Wiese, Kiara Leslie, Stella Johnson, Shavonte Zellous, Leilani Mitchell and Jillian Alleyne are key pieces for coach Mike Thibault. Washington is last in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 27.9% from the floor as a team. The Mystics are tied for seventh in the league in threes per game (4.5) and stand last in the league in three-point percentage (15.5%) on the year. Washington is excellent at the charity stripe as they are tops in the league by sinking 85.7 percent of their chances this season. Elena Delle Donne is currently still out as she continues her recovery from offseason back surgery: she clearly is missed.
Trends:
New York
- · Liberty are 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Washington
- · Mystics are 6-16 in their last 22 overall
- · Mystics are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 at home vs. the Liberty
Pick: New York Liberty +2.5
This isn’t the same Mystics team that won the title a couple of seasons ago. Delle Donne sat out the 2020 season due to an elevated risk for complications from COVID-19 due to having Lyme disease and has yet to take the floor after back surgery this season. The Mystics are floundering when it comes to shooting the ball this season and that’s a major reason why they are last in the league in scoring offense. New York is playing well in the early going as Ionescu has stepped right in and delivered for the Liberty. We’ve seen the Liberty shoot well from the perimeter and that helps carry them to a victory in this contest.
