- What: WNBA Finals Game
- When: Wednesday, October 16th
- Who: New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx
- Time: 5:00 p.m. PST
- Where: Target Center (Minneapolis, MN)
The Minnesota Lynx host the New York Liberty in the third game of the WNBA Finals. The Liberty tied the WNBA Finals on Sunday, taking an early 10-point lead and securing a 14-point victory over the Lynx.
Minnesota Lynx
In the previous game, Minnesota won with exceptional shooting. However, in the following game, players like guard Kayla McBride and forwards Alanna Smith and Bridget Carleton struggled from the three-point line, and the Lynx shot 6-for-20 overall.
The series is tied 1-1, so the Lynx will need to step up in this third game. It all starts with forward Napheesa Collier. Despite hitting the game-winning shot in the first game, the star was limited to 16 points in the last game as the Liberty effectively shut down Minnesota’s offense.
see ya at @TargetCenterMN. pic.twitter.com/WkcewdAhFv
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) October 16, 2024
In the last game, the Lynx struggled, making only six 3-pointers as a team. New York’s defense effectively contained Napheesa Collier. Minnesota had few chances at the free-throw line, with only seven attempts.
New York played great defense, and as the series moves to Minneapolis on Wednesday, Collier will have to figure out how to counter the Liberty’s defensive strategy.
Napheesa Collier’s resilience in bouncing back from challenging games provides a compelling reason to believe in Minnesota’s potential success in Game 3. If Collier can excel, the Lynx stand a strong chance of seizing the lead in the series.
New York Liberty
Rebounding from a tough loss like this in Game 1 can be challenging. However, the Liberty showed their resilience in the second game.
Forward Breanna Stewart generated a good stat line with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and a WNBA Finals record of 7 steals. Her defensive play helped the Liberty hold Minnesota star Napheesa Collier to 16 points and 8 rebounds.
But while Stewart played a significant role in the win, she was certainly not the only player to play well. Point guard Sabrina Ionescu followed up a strong performance in the first game, 19 points with 15 in the second game.
Touched down in Minny for Game 3️⃣????
???? @minnesotalynx
⏰ 8pm / ET
???? Target Center
???? @espnWE ALL WE GOT, WE ALL WE NEED. #SEAFOAMSZN | #LIGHTITUPNYL pic.twitter.com/wKVDf6GD6I
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) October 16, 2024
Guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton chipped in with 20 points, and center Jonquel Jones followed up her 24-point night in the first game with 14 in the second game.
However, as important as having so many players chip in on the scoreboard was, New York’s defensive pressure was one of the keys to the second game.
The defense seemed to get better as the game went on. Minnesota scored 21 in the first, 18 in the second, 14 in the third, and just 13 in the final period.
Lynx-Liberty Best Bet
The Lynx are back at home in this one and have played much better there this season. Traditionally, role players perform much better at home than on the road.
The Liberty have been the best team in the league this season. They have only lost two games in the entire playoffs. Oddsmakers have favored the Liberty on the moneyline and are laying 3.5 points on the road.
This one is difficult to navigate, the total doesn’t seem very enticing either. It’s set at 160.5 points. I will take the Lynx at home and the points in this one.
The game should be close and very competitive. The best bet is Lynx +3.5 points at -110 odds.
Can the Liberty take control of the WNBA Finals against the Lynx?
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
