Sparks vs Liberty predictions
After dropping 22 points in her last outing, Kelsey Plum is heading into Barclays Center looking poised to keep her hot streak alive. Plum, who’s been averaging over 20 points and five assists per contest, has a real shot to put up another strong stat line. You can almost picture her slicing through the Liberty defense, creating open looks and either cashing in herself or setting up teammates like Azura Stevens, who’s quietly putting together a nice rebounding campaign. If Stevens keeps attacking the boards and Plum pushes the tempo, the Sparks might just surprise anyone ready to count them out on the road.
On the other side, the New York Liberty are a handful at home—as that 6-1 Barclays Center record would suggest. Breanna Stewart is the headline act, leading the charge with nearly 21 points and snagging six rebounds each night. Stewart’s versatility makes her a matchup nightmare, especially with Natasha Cloud facilitating; Cloud’s playmaking (over six assists per game) can get everyone involved, making it tough for defenses to crowd Stewart without leaving someone else wide open. Don’t forget that this Liberty roster knows how to pile up points in bunches, and with Stewart anchoring both ends, keeping them contained is no easy task.
Taking all that into account, the Sparks might bring some energy with Plum and Stevens on a roll, but New York’s depth and home-court advantage give them the clear upper hand. The Liberty have been almost untouchable at Barclays, and with Stewart leading the charge, it’s hard not to see them coming out on top. Still, that’s the beauty of the WNBA—you never really know until the final buzzer sounds. What kind of matchup would you love to see most in this game?
