New York Liberty vs Atlanta Dream Preview: Redemption after Cup loss?

The New York Liberty certainly hopes there’s no place like home…their real home.

After a tough performance in the Commissioner’s Cup final on Tuesday night…and five more days away from the playing surface…the Liberty will resume regular season action on Sunday afternoon when the Atlanta Dream visit Barclays Center.

The Liberty have known the Dream well this month, since Sunday will be the third and final meeting of the month of June. New York has won each of the first games in Atlanta, including a 96-75 triumph last Sunday. Sabrina Ionescu (26 points, 11 assists) and Jonquel Jones (15 points, 11 rebounds) each had a double-double while rookie Marqueshia scored a career-high nine points in 13 minutes. Tina Charles, the all-time leading scorer in Liberty history, had 19 points for the Dream in the loss.

While the Liberty rested following its loss to Minnesota on Tuesday, Atlanta lost seven of its nine games but posted an impressive 78-74 victory over the Connecticut Sun, who are currently behind the Liberty in second place in the WNBA rankings. The Dream currently occupies seventh place out of eight in the WNBA playoffs, 1.5 games ahead of oblivion.

What: Atlanta Dream (7-9) @ New York Liberty (15-3)

Or: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

When/Watch: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN

Who is favored: NYL -13.5

One to watch: Jonquel Jones

The Liberty learned the hard way that Jones’ MVP credentials, undeniable after earning a healthy start to the season this time around, can be a double-edged sword: Despite her 12 rebounds and prowess as a passer, she failed to make a single field goal in Tuesday’s loss at Belmont Park. When Jones is not healthy … and that has become increasingly rare this season … the Liberty suffer, as they are 1-3 when Jones is held under 10 points. With Charles back in Brooklyn and perhaps eager to make a statement on the inside, it will be interesting to see how Jones responds Sunday afternoon.

Dream to see: Allisha Gray

There’s no other way to put it: The Dream are missing Rhyne Howard. Since injuring her ankle June 19 at Minnesota, Atlanta has yet to reach the 80-point plateau, even with Jordin Canada back on the floor. Howard’s injury makes it essential that Gray, in the first season of a two-year contract extension, take control of the team’s offensive outlook, especially after she set a career-high in points after arriving from Dallas last year. New York knows what Charles brings to the table on all ends of the floor, but Gray’s scoring tendencies tend to dictate Atlanta’s fate: When she scores at least 17 points … like she did Friday at Mohegan Sun … the Dream is 5-2.

They said it

“I personally lost the ball too much, I think I was also sped up, just trying to get us to react. I think it’s a great learning experience, to be honest. It’s not like we’re going to play that team again. I think we can continue to learn what they do well defensively and try to use that ourselves.” – Sabrina Ionescu on Commissioner’s Cup loss to Minnesota

Prediction

The Liberty have had the Dream’s number this season and are now armed with a fairly healthy roster (Nyara Sabally remains out with a back injury), five days off and some revenge of their own. Atlanta will certainly be inspired after their win at Uncasville on Friday, but as long as the Liberty can handle a potential early rush from the momentum-filled Dream (a dominant second quarter allowed them to run away last time), they should be able to return. on track after losing two of their last three matches.

Freedom 94, Dream 79

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