Sky vs Liberty predictions
All eyes are on the Chicago Sky as they step into Barclays Center, hoping to snap their tough skid against the dominant New York Liberty. Without Courtney Vandersloot running the point, the Sky will need a big night from Ariel Atkins, who has been solid on offense, averaging nearly 14 points a game. With Vandersloot sidelined, expect Atkins to step up with even more scoring responsibility and maybe push her totals into the high teens. Then there’s Angel Reese, a rebounding machine, already hauling down over 12 boards a night — you can picture her flying around the paint to give the Sky extra possessions. The real question is whether that energy and hustle will be enough to keep Chicago in the game against a team firing on all cylinders.
On the other side, New York Liberty look as steady as ever, especially at home, where they've been perfect so far. Breanna Stewart is leading the charge, pouring in over 19 points per contest, and you just get the feeling she’s going to put up another big line, especially facing a shorthanded Sky squad. Natasha Cloud is dishing out assists like it’s second nature, and frankly, with all the offensive threats at her disposal, a double-double night feels very much on the table. There is some uncertainty with Jonquel Jones’ ankle, keeping an eye on her status is a must, but even if her time is limited, the Liberty have plenty of depth to keep the tempo high and make life tough in the paint for Chicago.
So, what’s going to give when the Liberty defend their unbeaten streak at home? With the way New York’s stars are rolling and the Sky missing key playmaking, it looks like the Liberty have the edge in just about every department. Of course, the basketball gods love an upset — but unless Chicago finds another gear and gets a huge night from Atkins and Reese, it’s hard not to see New York coming out on top. The streak looks set to continue, with a fired-up Liberty squad ready to keep the good times rolling in front of their home fans.
