The Golden State Valkyries (2-1) and New York Liberty (3-1) meet in the WNBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The game will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video.
The Liberty are favored by -7.5 on the spread, with the over/under set at 169.5 (-114o / -106u). The Liberty are a -310 favorite to win outright, while the Valkyries are +240 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Valkyries vs. Liberty predictions and WNBA picks.
Valkyries vs. Liberty Odds, Pick
| Valkyries Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -112 | 169.5 -114o / -106u | +240 |
| Liberty Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -108 | 169.5 -114o / -106u | -310 |
- Valkyries vs. Liberty Spread: Valkyries +7.5 (-112), Liberty -7.5 (-108)
- Valkyries vs. Liberty Over/Under: 169.5 (-114o / -106)
- Valkyries vs. Liberty Moneyline: Valkyries +240, Liberty -310
- Valkyries vs. Liberty Best Bet: Liberty Team Total Over 88.5 Points
Valkyries vs. Liberty Preview
The league's most potent offense could get even stronger with Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally possibly making their season debuts for the New York Liberty. Both players returned to practice on Monday and are listed as questionable for Thursday's home game against the Golden State Valkyries.
Ionescu is a four-time All-Star who averaged 18.2 points last season, which was just a shade lower than Breanna Stewart's team-high of 18.3. If we turn to Sabally, she led the Phoenix Mercury with 16.3 points in the previous campaign.
To think that New York can trot out a lineup that includes Stewart, Ionescu, Sabally and Jonquel Jones seems almost unfair to the rest of the league.
Furthermore, New York has a deep backcourt with guards Marine Johannes and Pauline Astier, who are averaging 15.8 and 16.8 points this season.
The only problem for the Liberty is that there's only one ball to go around with so many shotmakers on the court.
Valkyries vs. Liberty Prediction
I must admit that I'm a bit surprised to see this line open with New York as a 7.5-point favorite. The line is even moving towards Golden State, with some sportsbooks raising the juice on the visitors to -115.
Currently, bet365 is the only book that's trading the line at -7 for the game.
Where we've seen the biggest movement has been the total, which is as high as 169.5 after opening at 166.5.
My only concern about the total is whether we can trust the Valkyries to hold up their end and contribute enough scoring to get it over the line.
In contrast, New York has scored 90 or more points in all four games this season, and I expect that trend to continue for a fifth straight game.
My model actually projects the Liberty to score 105.6 points, and I'd make them closer to a 9-point favorite.
While I like the game to go over and New York to cover the spread, my official play will be on the team total of 88.5.
Best Bet: Liberty Team Total Over 88.5 Points (-113, FanDuel)
