The opening round of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs resumes on Saturday with Game 2 between the New York Liberty and Chicago Sky. Despite being massive underdogs, the Liberty managed to pull off an outright upset on the road. Now, the defending champs must emerge from Game 2 victorious to keep their season alive. Much like the WNBA betting odds for Wednesday’s series-opener, the consensus Liberty vs Sky prediction for Game 2 heavily favors the higher seed.
The following game preview will get you all set for Saturday’s WNBA Playoffs Game 2 matchup. Included is our official Liberty vs Sky prediction, the injury report for both teams, WNBA betting odds, key betting trends and much more! But first, let’s take a look at this special welcome offer from BetOnline Sportsbook.
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Liberty vs Sky Prediction, WNBA Betting Odds and Game Info
WNBA Playoffs 2022 — Game 2 (NY leads series 1-0)
New York Liberty (16-20, 7-11 Away) vs. Chicago Sky (26-10, 14-4 Home)
Date: Saturday, August 20, 2022
Time: 12 PM EST
Venue: Wintrust Arena — Chicago, IL
Coverage: ESPN
Liberty vs Sky WNBA Playoffs Game 2 Betting Preview
New York Liberty Preview
Sharp WNBA betting analysts knew that the Liberty had reason to be confident coming into the playoffs. Thanks to Betnijah Laney returning late in the regular season from injury, New York had each of its core players healthy and available. The Liberty carried the three-game winning streak that enabled them to clinch a playoff spot into Wednesday night’s Game 1 and kept the momentum rolling. New York held the Sky scoreless over the final 3:32 of the game to turn a six-point deficit into a seven-point upset win.
Offensively, it was clear that the Liberty’s top duo of Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Howard would have to be at their best in order to steal a game in Chicago. Both players delivered on Wednesday night as they finished with identical 22-point, 7-rebound lines. Ionescu also added six assists. Laney paid dividends as well with 17 points, five boards and five helpers. Center Stefanie Dolson rounded out the quartet of New York players who scored in double figures.
Chicago Sky Preview
After letting Game 1 slip away, the Sky now know that they will have to win a decisive Game 3 on the road in order to advance to the Semifinal Round. Of course, taking care of business at home in Game 2 is the first order of business for the defending champs. Despite the way in which the series-opener ended, the WNBA betting odds are once again favoring Chicago for Saturday’s Liberty vs Sky prediction. In order to both win and cover the spread, the Sky will most certainly need to be better defensively.
More often than not, a 91-point output is enough to win in the WNBA. That was not the case for the Sky on Wednesday as a concerning recent trend of Chicago struggling defensively continued. The Sky have now lost three of their last five games. In four games over that same span, Chicago has given up 89 points or more to the opposition. The inability to generate stops down the stretch in Game 1 saw double-double lines by Candace Parker and Courtney Vandersloot go to waste. Kahleah Copper led the Sky with 21 points and fell just two rebounds shy of her own double-double.
Liberty vs Sky WNBA Betting Odds
All WNBA betting odds for Liberty vs Sky can be found at BetOnline Sportsbook.
Moneyline: NY: (+315) | CHI: (-385)
Point Spread: NY: +9 (-110) | CHI: -9 (-110)
Total: 169 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
Public (Spread) Betting Percentages via VSiN: NY: (56%) | CHI: (44%)
Updated Odds to Win Series: NY: (-106) | CHI: (-114)
Liberty vs Sky Betting Trends
- Liberty are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games against teams with a winning record.
- The total has gone OVER in nine of the Liberty’s last 11 games against teams with a winning record.
- Sky are just 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight home games.
- 13 of the Sky’s last 16 games against teams with a losing record have gone OVER the total.
- Liberty are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four head-to-head matchups against the Sky.
New York Liberty Injury Report
None
Chicago Sky Injury Report
Out: Li Yueru (personal)
Liberty vs Sky Stats
- New York averaged 79.6 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 9 in the WNBA).
- New York surrendered 82.0 PPG this season (No. 6 in the WNBA).
- Chicago averaged 86.3 PPG this season (No. 2 in the WNBA).
- Chicago surrendered 81.3 PPG this season (No. 4 in the WNBA).
Liberty vs Sky Prediction
The fact that the Liberty shot over 49% from the field in Game 1 of this series can’t be sitting well with the Sky with regard to their performance defensively. Bettors now must question whether or not New York is capable of replicating the performance a second time to ultimately win the series.
The Liberty were not particularly strong offensively during the 36-game regular season. After ranking just ninth in points per game and offensive rating, New York was tops among the eight playoff teams in First Round series openers.
Despite the fact that the Sky have been struggling on defense dating back to the end of the regular season, Chicago remains the deeper and more talented team. With so many different players who can get a bucket, scoring will not be a concern for the Sky in Game 2. Assuming that head coach James Wade implements proper defensive adjustments, one has to believe that the defending champs will get back on track at home.
Of course, there is a big difference between merely winning Game 2 outright and winning by a margin of 10 points or more to cover the WNBA betting odds. That said, the fact that the Liberty are shaping up to be a public underdog aids the outlook for laying the points with Chicago. In addition to potentially backing the Sky as the favorite in Game 2, the updated series price is worth considering. The line adjustment from -500 to -114 is certainly massive and probably a bit excessive at that.
Liberty vs Sky Prediction: Sky -9 and Sky to Win Series (-110 and -114 at BetOnline Sportsbook)
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