Valkyries vs. Liberty WNBA Odds, Predictions: Golden State looks for season sweep in New York

Two of the WNBA’s hottest teams meet up in Brooklyn on Thursday when the New York Liberty host the Golden State Valkyries at 8 p.m. ET.

Golden State is 27-11 overall and 12-6 on the road this season. They have already beaten the Liberty twice and are looking to sweep the season series this evening. The Valkyries have won two in a row and 17 of their last 21 to move into second place,1.5 games ahead of Las Vegas, and two games ahead of Atlanta.

New York has won two straight and seven of their last nine, which puts them in a tie for sixth with Washington. The Liberty have won six straight at Barclays, and their 13-5 overall home mark is one of the best in the league.

Golden State Valkyries vs. New York Liberty WNBA Odds and Betting Trends

Golden State is a 2.5-point underdog on the road with a +125 moneyline on the WNBA odds. This is despite covering twice as a 5.5-point dog against the Liberty this season, including an 87-70 victory at Barclays in May – New York’s worst loss at home this season.

Meanwhile, New York is at -150, and the total sits at 162.5. Golden State has won three straight overall in this series, dating back to last season. The Valkyries are 5-0 against the spread in their last five meetings with New York. All five of those contests were played to the under. 

New York is 1-4 against the spread in its last five games. The Liberty have played to the under in three of their last four games, while Golden State has played to the under in six of seven. 

Golden State Valkyries

The Valkyries improved to 2-1 on their current five-game road trip with an 89-64 triumph over Connecticut on Wednesday. It was the eighth straight game in which Golden State, the league’s best scoring defence by far, held opponents to 78 points or less. 

Janelle Salaun had 15 points and Kaila Charles added 14 points and eight rebounds, as the Valkyries’ bench scored a franchise-record 54 points. Veronica Burton chipped in with 12 points and seven assists, as the team shot 54 per cent from the field and held the Sun to 31 per cent. 

The Valkyries have stifled New York this season, holding the Liberty to 68.5 points per game. In the teams’ last meeting, Golden State’s bench outscored New York’s 39-11 in what amounted to a 76-67 victory in June in San Francisco. 

New York Liberty

The Liberty breathed a sigh of relief as Leonie Fiebich, who has been out since July 3 with a foot injury, returned to put up 20 points, five rebounds and five assists when New York beat Indiana at home on Saturday 109-102.

Breanna Stewart had 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Liberty, who have not lost at home since early July. Jonquel Jones, who tweaked her left ankle and missed most of the previous game against Chicago, had 19 points and 10 rebounds on Saturday. 

Against Golden State this season, Stewart is averaging 16.5 points per game, while Jones puts up 14. The Liberty were without Fiebich and Sabrina Ionescu in the May home blowout, but the two combined for just 15 points in the late-June defeat. Both are expected to play on Thursday.

WNBA Prediction: Who will win Valkyries vs. Liberty?

New York is going to be so frustrated in this game. After such a free-flowing, exciting matchup with the Fever, the Liberty now get stuck in the mud with Golden State.

Look at the rosters. There is no reason the Liberty should lose this game, let alone get swept this season. We’re going with New York because of their recent success at home, but it won’t be pretty. 

Take the Liberty giving 2.5 points in a 78-75 victory.