The Minnesota Lynx roll into Barclays Center tonight boasting a 33-11 record and an 18-4 road mark that suggests they’re comfortable playing anywhere, but the 8:30 PM EDT tip-off against the Liberty presents a classic identity crisis. Minnesota is a high-octane machine averaging 90.8 points, yet they’re leaking 91.0 on the other end, making them a volatile favorite at -2.5. If the Lynx think they can just outscore a New York defense surrendering a league-best 75.0 points per game, they’re in for a long night in Brooklyn.
New York doesn't need to win a track meet to cover this 172.5 total; they just need to force the Lynx into their rhythm-killing defensive grind. With Breanna Stewart pacing the Liberty at 20.8 points per game and Jonquel Jones cleaning the glass, the Liberty have the personnel to punish Minnesota’s defensive lapses. The Lynx are managing the absences of Anastasiia Olairi Kosu and Elena Buenavida, which shrinks their rotation just as they face a New York squad that knows how to protect its home floor. Check the board and let us know if you’re riding the Lynx’s road warriors or the Liberty’s defensive discipline over on StreakChat.