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2024 WNBA All-Star game shatters viewership records

Sara Jane Gamelli — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 12:59:12 +0000

The 2024 WNBA All-Star game was the most watched ever in history.

Photo Credit: Nick Davis/ Ballislife

This year's All-Star game was one to remember. With record-breaking temperatures, the WNBA brought the heat to Phoenix.

The 20th annual game drew 3.4 million viewers on ABC, making it the most-watched All-Star game in WNBA history. The third most viewed event ever across all networks, according to ESPN PR, viewership peaked at 4.2 million, over a 300 percent increase from last year.

This year's format was unique, marking the second year in history to debut Team WNBA vs. Team USA. While some all-star games present as a fun, dynamic, flowing experience, this year's matchup was highly competitive, as reported by several players and coaches.

"We have to be locked in, our time together is so short," said USA Olympian Breanna Stewart prior to Friday's three-point contest. "Also knowing what happened last time we had Team USA vs. the All-Stars. It didn't go our way."

With that said, Stewart's been in this position before. In 2021, Team WNBA defeated Team USA, 93-85 in which Arike Ogunbowale was crowned MVP winner with 26 points. Four years later, it's a bit of déjà vu for Stewart and company. And there's something about Ogunbowale cooking up against the USA Basketball National Olympic Team.

In front of a crowd of 16,407 attendees at the Footprint Center, Team WNBA once again defeated Team USA 117-109. After admitting that she had pulled out of the Olympics due to "politics," Ogunbowale captured her second All-Star MVP against Team USA with 34 points, three rebounds, six assists, and two steals on 10-20 field goal shooting. Although it's the All-Star game, Ogunbowale wouldn't let Team USA stop her and her squad from competing at the highest level.

"They're [Team USA] getting ready to play, and they want to win," said Ogunbowale post-game. "We're not going to get embarrassed as well. They have plays they've been practicing. We just want to come out hard, and I love competition. If I hear someone is trying to beat me, I'm going to try to beat them twice as hard."

Your 2024 WNBA All-Star MVP Arike Ogunbowale #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/WsFd7mKPsZ
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) July 21, 2024

After scoring zero first-half points, the Dallas Wings star erupted for 21 third-quarter points, including 5-7 shots from beyond the arc. In true Arike fashion, the guard sauced up several guards with highly contested shots. Ogunbowale's 34 points were the most points ever scored in an all-star game, and the guard was extremely humble prior to the big matchup. Not one guard could stop her, including Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and Jewell Loyd.

In the post-game, Ogunbowale admitted that Team WNBA head coach Cheryl Miller "called her out at halftime." In front of everyone, Miller told her, "Just take a deep breath and play your game," said Ogunbowale. "I guess you guys saw what happened."

Under coach Miller, Nneka Ogwumike (14 points), Angel Reese (12 points), Allisha Gray (16 points), and Kelsey Mitchell (13 points) all contributed points in double figures. For Chicago Sky's Reese, she became the first rookie in WNBA history to tally a double-double, which included 11 boards. Able to snag rebounds over Brittney Griner and Alyssa Thomas, Reese continues to show why she's the WNBA leader in offensive boards.

Although Reese and Clark are known for being opponents on the court, a definitive moment gave fans a chilling glimpse of the level of talent these two players produce. Able to split the defense, Clark unselfishly found Reese in the paint with the dime bounce. Having only finished with four points, Clark tallied 10 assists, a rookie WNBA All-Star record. This comes a week after Clark became the single-game assist leader with 19 against the Wings.

Photo Credit: Nick Davis/Ballislife

Aside from calling Ogunbowale the best "one-on-one player in the league," Clark, without question, opted to remain on the bench while Arike continued her dominance. Although ready for a break, Clark seemingly enjoyed her first WNBA All-Star experience.

"I had a lot of fun just playing, enjoying the atmosphere, talking with people courtside," said

For Team USA, Breanna Stewart and showcased their dominance, scoring a combined 53 points. With Stewart leading the way with 31 points and 10 rebounds, Diana Taurasi tallied 14 points, including a game-starting trey for the hometown fans. With 37 points off the bench, Griner was the only other player to contribute points in double figures.

Photo Credit: Nick Davis/Ballislife

Heading into the Olympics, Stewart was quick to point out a lack of defense from Team USA. Committing 14 costly turnovers, the Olympic team once found themselves down by a 20-point deficit.

"Understanding that we just gave up 117 points is kind of crazy," said Stewart post-game. "We don't want to peak too soon, and we know we can improve on a lot. I speak for A'ja [Wilson] here. We're excited to get to London and really focus on this team and what our ultimate goal is."

Overall, the experience was jovial and eventful. With the popularity of WNBA live, the weekend festivities drew in several celebrities, including Aubrey Plaza, Pitbull, Sheryl Swoops, Shannon Sharpe, and others.

Following one of the most exciting WNBA All-Star weekends, Team USA will play Japan this afternoon, beginning at 3 p.m. EST. Starting Aug 1, the Women's National Team will suit up against Belgium, and Germany on Aug 4. The USA Women's National Team is seeking their eighth straight gold medal.

Stay tuned for more WNBA related articles. Click here

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator, and Social Media Manager for Ballislife Bets. She focuses on Women's Basketball, both college and the WNBA, and currently resides in the Connecticut/NYC area. SJ received her undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Connecticut, with a minor in business administration.

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WNBA All-Star: Allisha Gray makes history, wins 3-Point Contest, Skills Challenge

Sara Jane Gamelli — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 16:24:20 +0000

Allisha Gray, of the Atlanta Dream made history Friday night, crowned winner of the WNBA 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge at WNBA All-Star weekend.

Photo Credit: Nick Davis/Ballislife

PHOENIX- Prior to the WNBA events on Friday night, Allisha Gray continuously had the media in hysterics. She's made it clear she's visiting Disney World during Olympic Break. And when asked about the all-star game MVP, Gray responded, "I'm just here to have fun." In true Gray fashion, the guard remained humble as always. A woman of few words, little did the world know what she was about to accomplish.

Friday night at Footprint Center, Gray finished the evening a few bucks richer—well, $115,150, to be exact. For the first time in WNBA history, the 6-foot Atlanta Dream guard was crowned the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge winner. Gray joins Becky Hammon and Sabrina Ionescu as the only current and former players to win both contests throughout their careers.

Allisha Gray took home more than 62 percent of her salary

On the historic night, Gray donned nothing but smiles. Days before All-Star weekend, WNBA Players Association president Nneka Ogwumike announced that Aflac would supplement with a $55,000 bonus to the three-point contest and skills challenge winner. Indeed, a fantastic way to support women's basketball, Gray took home nearly 62 percent of her pay. She makes an annual salary of $185,000 and signed an extension with the Dream in 2023.

Photo Credit: Nick Davis/Ballislife

After the monumental performances, Gray told ESPN's Holly Rowe she may start a business with the extra earnings. "Now that I think about it, had a good nap. Maybe I'll go on a little golfing spree, shopping spree," said Gray.

As part of the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement (CBA), Gray earned a total of $5,150 from both events. As women's basketball evolves and grows, companies must continue to invest to increase the prize pool in future events.

Aflac made $110,000 in contributions to the winner of both events

Contributions from Aflac are a testament to the growth and direction of women's basketball, especially with the record-breaking viewership the league has seen just halfway through the season. Although the players were unaware of the contributions heading into the events, Ogwumike expressed her excitement and hope for future investors.

"I love that Aflac came in and stepped forward and really displayed their investment," said Ogwumike Friday afternoon. "They stepped in, and I think that's what's most important. We are in a very transformational and pivotal moment in women's sports, and I'm just really grateful to be actively experiencing it."

After all, the former Gamecock guard's Instagram handle is graytness_15. An avid gamer, her twitch name is the same. So how can you count out a player with "graytness" in their name?

Allisha Gray edged out Jonquel Jones 22-21 to win the 3-Point Contest

Phoenix Mercury's Sophie Cunningham, Brittney Griner, and Connecticut Sun's Mabrey Mabrina participated in the skills challenge. However, due to a global outage, Erica Wheeler could not participate (flight was cancelled), so Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell stepped in. Not only did Gray take home the victory, but she also defeated two hometown favorites, Cunningham and Griner. Competitively, the skills challenge is a timed event used to showcase passing, shooting, and dribbling skills.

For the three-point contest, Gray competed with five total candidates— Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty), Stefanie Dolson (Washington Mystics), Marina Mabrey (Connecticut Sun), and Kayla McBride (Minnesota Lynx). Gray finished with 23 points, in which she sunk a deep Starry ball on the left hash. Jonquel Jones tallied 25, pushing herself into the final round against Gray.

Allisha Gray kicks off the 3-point contest with 23 points, including a deep starry shot!#WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/Yd73jzlhxT
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) July 20, 2024

The final round was as exhilarating as anyone could've expected. Although both were slightly cold from beyond the arc, Jonquel Jones had an opportunity to claim victory, except she fell one ball short. With seconds to go, Jones missed the final shot, which excited Gray to the fullest. At 22-21, it was at that moment Gray was declared the winner of the 2024 WNBA 3-Point Challenge.

Admitting she was "nervous" competing against Jones, Gray had her biggest supporters on the sideline. Notorious for sporting goggles during games, the Dream guard admitted they aren't for vision. However, best friend A'ja Wilson was seen hilariously donning the same goggles courtside. In addition, Dream co-owner Renee Montgomery was seen cheering her on all night.

Gray jokes dinner is on her, as long as her team plans it

Post-event, Gray comedically told the media she's still a "cheap person." However, in light of her earnings, the next dinner is on her.

"I got them, dinner on me," said Gray. "They just gotta let me know early... because I'm still a very cheap person. For my team, yeah, they have to plan it, I'll just pay the bill."

In her 8th WNBA season, Gray will make her second all-star selection for the second consecutive year. Although it's been a trying year for the Dream, especially with injuries, Gray remains the leading scorer for Atlanta, putting up 15.6 points per game. The 2017 Rookie of the Year, there's a possibility she could make history tonight, possibly winning the All-Star MVP.

If you're looking to watch the 2024 WNBA All-Star game, Team USA will matchup against team WNBA. Set to tip off at 8:30 EST, the event will air on ESPN.

Stay tuned for more WNBA related articles. Click here

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Social Media Manager for Ballislife Bets.?She has a focus on Women's Basketball, both college and the WNBA, and currently resides in the Connecticut/NYC area. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the?University?of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.

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Angel Reese makes WNBA double-double history

Sara Jane Gamelli — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 20:29:55 +0000

Reese, drafted by the Chicago Sky no. 7 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, is the only rookie to average a double-double on the season.

(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

To all the critics who doubted Angel Reese, rest assured she's meant for this league. Not only is she destined to become a star in the WNBA, she made history this afternoon. With some worried about how exactly the forward's game would translate to the professional league, today was more than enough proof that she's poised to be one of the greatest ever to grace the game. Reese continues to make headlines this afternoon with her fashion expertise, swag, and confidence. And that confidence has translated into poetry on the court.

In the Chicago Sky's camp day 83-72 victory over the Dallas Wings, Reese finished with a career-high 18 rebounds and 16 points. Accompanied by two steals, "Chi-Town Barbie" became the first rookie in WNBA history to record seven straight double-doubles. Eight of those 18 boards came on the offensive end, leading to Chicago's 48-22 dominance in the paint. Her colossal game on the rebounds came just a week after she scored a career-high 20 points against the Connecticut Sun. +17 on the floor, Reese added three assists, and shot 7-13 from the floor.

Sure, the Dallas Wings are dealing with multiple injuries however, head coach Latricia Tramell chose to display a bigger lineup today.

With Natasha Howard back in the lineup on a minutes restriction, Reese had a field day in the early matchup. And she did so against Howard, Monique Billings, Teaira McCowan, Morgan Bertsch, and Stephanie Soares—the third-leading team in rebounds per game (35.8). For the record, not one of those front-court players is listed below 6 foot 2. Her monumental performance was truly a testament to who Reese is, especially against a Dallas team that ranks second in the league in paint points. It's a tough task to win in the WNBA, let alone rebound over women who are 6 foot 5 and above.

Angel Reese makes WNBA history by having her seventh consecutive game with a double-double the rookie record was held by Tina Charles previously pic.twitter.com/Jy653XSBCd
— Ballislife Womens Basketball (@ballislifewbb_) June 20, 2024

In fact, in her post-game interview, she admitted she watched a lot of films about Dallas. Always up for the "dirty work," Reese expressed her desire to do so.

"I'll step in, I'll mess up my nails, lashes, and stuff like that, just for my teammates," said Reese in a social media post by the Chicago Sky. "I'm willing to do whatever for this team." She represents attributes every team would wish for in their franchise start, heart, grit, hustle, and so on.

She now enters into a conversation with historic athletes who paved the way for women's basketball. Some of the greats to ever step foot on the court--- Sylvia Fowles, Elena Delle Donne, and Candace Parker, to name a few. On pace to break Fowles's season offensive rebounding record, Reese has nothing but praise for the women who were the early trailblazers in women's basketball. Third in the league in rebounds, Reese leads the entire WNBA with 68 offensive rebounds. That puts her ahead of some of most elite--- A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Alyssa Thomas.

Reminding the broadcasters she has a close relationship with Fowles, Reese doubled down on her desire to win.

"I just want to do whatever it takes to win, and rebounding is what I do to win," said Reese postgame.

With her seven-straight double-double, Reese is off to a historic rookie season, chasing Fowles for the record at just 22 years old. With 11 rebounds at the half, the Baltimore native broke previous double-double records set by Cindy Brown and Tina Charles. Averaging 12.4 points and 10.8 rebounds on the season, she's the only rookie to average double figures this season. With the unfortunate injury news to Cameron Brink, she's now set herself far apart in the rookie class.

Angel, you gotta stop. Your game too tough. Your swag too different. #skytown pic.twitter.com/dx6VoLeXlg
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) June 20, 2024

The Sky was previously riding a four-game skid before today, marking losses against the Dream, Sun, Mystics, and Fever. Reese and her teammates gave the younger fans something to cheer about in the first of Chicago's annual Camp Day games. Not new to the league, Camp Day allows kids to attend an WNBA game, perhaps for the first time. A glimpse at their favorite players is special on this day, as it is crucial for the exposure and excitement of women's basketball at a young age. With thousands of children in attendance, Reese was ecstatic to receive the victory when asked about her personal performance.

"Man, I'm just happy we finally won," Reese told ESPN. "I'm excited to be in this league, and win some more."

Second behind Caitlin Clark in points, Reese leads the entire rookie class in rebounds per game (10.8), charity stripe attempts and makes, field goal attempts and makes, and steals. She's certainly making her case for the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.

While much chatter has surrounded other players, we can't forget Reese, a bonafide national champion and four-year star at LSU under head coach Kim Mulkey. Drafted alongside Gamecock legend Kamilla Cardoso, many wondered how the college rivals would fit in Teresa Weatherspoon's front court. While there are contentious times with the media, she continues to put up impressive numbers night in and night out.

Standing at 6 foot 3, Reese also put up a double against the Fever, Mystics, Sun, Dream, and Liberty. Out of those seven games, three of those teams are in the top five in terms of rebounding. Today, we saw relentless aggression to rebound and put back several second-chance opportunities. A consistent mid-range or outside jumper would make Reese a triple threat.

Admitting she's excited to grow on ESPN, she's a genuine candidate for rookie of the year, and keeps dominating the only way she knows how--- with winning plays.

Improved to 5-9 on the season, Reese and the Chicago Sky will take on the Indiana Fever at home, Sunday evening.

Stay tuned for more WNBA related articles.?Click here

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Social Media Manager for Ballislife Bets.?She has a focus on the Women's Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the?University?of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration

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Candace Parker retires, named President of Women’s Basketball at Adidas

Sara Jane Gamelli — Fri, 17 May 2024 17:32:03 +0000

After 16 seasons, the 3x WNBA Champion announced her retirement from the league. Now, with the WNBA season starting, she's been named President of Women’s Basketball at Adidas. More about her career and reactions from players and coaches around the league.

(Photo by Jineen Williams/Ballislife)

Three-time WNBA Champion Candace Parker sent shockwaves across the basketball world when she announced her retirement from the league. Promising she'd never "cheat the game," Parker is ready for the next chapter of endeavors in her life. In doing so, the former WNBA Champion is leaving the game in a better place and going out on her terms. While some athletes opt for a retirement tour, Parker ended her career in private. The former WNBA MVP is going out the same way she entered the league, with her daughter Lailaa.

All business aside, her top priority remains being a mom and wife.

In a heartfelt post on social media, the WNBA veteran had two words, "I'm retiring." And for all the current and new players entering the league Parker had a short piece of advice, "enjoy it."

Having spent 16 years in the league, Parker, best known as "ACE," revolutionized the game of basketball. One of one, Parker will surely be missed on the court.

Before the announcement, Parker announced she would return to the Las Vegas Aces in February. After signing a one year-deal with the reigning champions, Parker was limited to just 18 games due to a fractured foot. Unable to return to the court, she watched on as the Aces were named back-to-back champions. A competitor her entire career, no. 3 made a decision that was best for her. Admitting rehabbing in the offseason "hasn't been fun," Parker's fractured foot simply hasn't cooperated to the fullest. Overall, she did remind us the ten surgeries she's had in her career.

For quite some time, Parkers been featured as a commentator and analyst with NBA on TNT, which includes NCAA Tournament coverage. Headlined by Shaquille O"Neal, the former NBA legend is a close mentor and friend to Parker.

And now, Parker lives out her new dream of entrepreneurship. Less than a week after retirement, Parker was named President of Women’s Basketball at Adidas. Although she won't physically be on the court, she will remain a key factor in elevating women's sports. The first woman to have her own "signature shoe" with the brand, Parker is now tasked with building the brands of current women Adidas Athletes. That list includes, but not limited to Aliyah Boston, Aaliyah Edwards, Alysha Clark, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Chelsea Gray, Erica Wheeler, Chiney Ogwumike, Kahleah Copper, and Nneka Ogwumike.

"I want to congratulate her as well on her new position with Adidas," said Dallas Wings head coach Latricia Trammell. "She actually has a seat at the table. Helping make those decisions of what's going on, not just being a mascot of Adidas. I think that's really big for her, and I know that she's going to continue to grow out game. It may not be on the court. She is definitely going to continue to grow our game."

Congrats, Candace Parker
The new President of Women's Basketball at Adidas!

@DUNKC0MP pic.twitter.com/3UoIRJVHYr
— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) May 8, 2024

Although she's stepped away from the hardwood, the former WNBA champion remains involved with the league. Featured in the newest SKIMS' Fits Everybody underwear campaign, Parker was featured in a series of photoshoots, alongside with her former teammate Kelsey Plum.

In her 16 years, Parker's had a profound impact on the league. She's had to opportunity to play alongside some of the WNBS greats: Nneka Ogwumike, Kahleah Copper, A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, just to name a few. After heading home to win her second championship with the Sky, Parker had significant influence on then Chicago guard, Kahleah Copper.

"Being in Chicago, I had Candace Parker," Copper said in a league wide zoom interview. "I was able to learn how to continue to grow-- even after being a winner."

Growing up, I started idolizing Parker since I was just a teenager. Watching her, Diana Taurasi, and others fueled my passion for basketball at young age, which has only strengthened over time. Similar to Parker, I indeed to "fell in love with a little orange ball at 13 years old." It wasn't very often Parker matched up with UConn. But when she did, I figured out a way to get to downtown Hartford, Connecticut.

The legendary battles between Coach Pat Summitt of the Tennessee Vols and Coach Geno Auriemma of the Huskies are permanently etched in my memory. Even though I grew up as a UConn fan, there were many great aspects about Parker that left a profound impact on me. Her love for the game, professionalism, and authenticity. It didn't matter that Parker didn't choose UConn as her first choice. As someone who bleeds blue, I loved the way she captured and changed the game.

A generational talent, there's only ever been one Candace Parker to leave the mark she did on women's basketball. The first woman ever to dunk in NCAA tournament history, she did it twice. In fact, I'll never forget her first WNBA dunk as a member of the Los Angeles Sparks just weeks after I graduated high school. Although she didn't face the Huskies often, who can forget the famous Parker "slam dunk in Hartford."

CLEVELAND - APRIL 03: Tournament MVP Candace Parker #3 of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers celebrates Tennessee's 59-46 win against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to win the 2007 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship Game at Quicken Loans Arena on April 3, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The McDonald's All-American's famous dunk is one that set the stage for her career. Appearing on ESPN, Parker competed against several future legendary NBA players, including Rudy Gay, Josh Smith, and J.R. Smith, among others. In fact, she was the first woman ever to win the co-ed 2004 jam fest.

Because of the former Lady Vol, I developed a deep love for sports and Women's basketball as a whole. Now, following her retirement announcement, I'm writing a column about her illustrious career. She's forever known as a trailblazer in women's basketball; however, she's much more than just a hooper. A businesswoman, mom, wife, analyst, astute broadcaster and analyst, are just a few of her many designations. I even made the trek to visit the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame just prior to the pandemic.

A Naperville native, Parker was recruited out of high school by the late Pat Summitt and the Tennessee Lady Vols. Opting to play for Summitt over coach Auriemma and the Huskies, Parker led the Vols to back-to-back National Championship titles in 2007 and 2008. At 6-foot-4, the former Lady Vol primarily played the four and five. However, she was most known for her versatility. Not defined by a position, Parker. Not only was she the first collegiate woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game, she threw down twice in a single game.

(Photo: Jineen Williams/Ballislife)

Drafted no.1 overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2008 draft, Parker went on to spend the next 13 years of her career with the Sparks. The only player to win both the Rookie of the Year and MVP Award in 2008, Ace shot a career-high 42.3 percent from deep. Listed as a power forward, I'll forever remember her post moves and ability to play any position. Considering how many forward forwards and and centers are able to shoot outside the arc now a days, Parker set that tone. No matter what position, she introduced and manifested positionless basketball.

Back in 2008, I'll never forget her astonishing rookie debut against the Phoenix Mercury. A rookie, straight from Pat Summits system, single handedly defeated the defending champions. In a box score full of various statistics, the rookie finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block. From that day on, Parker played the game how she knew, regardless of her height. The ability to play one through five, along with her rookie impact, crowns her as one of the best to ever play the game.

Her passing ability, athleticism, rebounding--Parker could bank a shot anywhere on the court. She's truly a player that could "do it all." Although the Las Vegas Aces acknowledged "the majority of her career was played in opposing uniforms," the Aces released a genuine statement:

The dunks. The dimes. The boards. The blocks. The smile. The swagger. The memories Candace Parker created for a generation of women’s basketball fans will remain ingrained in our collective conscience forever, but she has given so much more to the game beyond her accolades and statistics."

Candace Parker was the first and only WNBA player to win ROOKIE OF THE YEAR & MVP in the same season!!

She led rookies in scoring (18.5), blocks (2.3) & minutes and led the league in rebounds (9.5) & double-doubles.pic.twitter.com/5xHQWOjBrD https://t.co/FBrlhNWhiZ
— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) April 9, 2024

It wasn't until 2016 where Parker won her first WNBA championship, alongside Nneka Ogwumike, Chelsea Gray, and Kristi Toliver. The finals MVP, Parker is the only player in WNBA history to win a championship with three different teams: The Sparks in 2016, the Chicago Sky in 2021, and the Las Vegas Aces in 2023. Throughout her illustrious career, she has several accolades. That list includes the following, but not limited to: 2x MVP, 7x All-Star, All-Star game MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the year, 3x WNBA Champion, blocks leader, rebounding leader, and 7x All-First team.

Speaking of defense, Trammell was an assistant coach at the same time Candace Parker won Defensive Player of the Year Award. A defensive minded coach, Trammell reflected on CP3's career and her time with Los Angeles in a league wide press conference.

"I think she's a legend," said Trammell. "She set that standard early on. Just what I've seen her do-- helping the rookie along the way. She was definitely one that you would want to go talk to, to see how it's done."

In addition, Parker was named to the 20th and 25th anniversary teams, and had quite the career overseas. A 5x Russian League Champion and Olympic gold medalist, Parker is walking away from game giving it everything she had.

"I'm grateful for the 16 ears I PLAYED A GAME for a living time & DESPITE all the injuries, I hooped," Parker wrote on her personal Instagram. "I'm grateful for family, friends, teammates, coaches, doctors, trainers & fans who made this journey so special."

Thank you Candace for all of the memories, on and off the court. Not only was CP3 a role model on the court, she's showing the world you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Those endeavors go well beyond the basketball court.

Stay tuned for more NCAA and WNBA related articles.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Manager at Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.

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NCAAW Final Four: Iowa survives UConn 71-69

Sara Jane Gamelli — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 05:16:00 +0000

Written by

Sara Jane Gamelli

In an exhilarating Final Four matchup between the Iowa Hawkeyes and UConn Huskies, Iowa will play South Carolina in the NCAA Championship game on Sunday.

(Photo by Shawn McLurkin/Ballislife)

The Iowa Hawkeyes are headed to their second straight NCAA Women's Final.

Friday evening was an unforgettable matchup between the no. 1 Iowa Hawkeyes and no. 3 UConn Huskies. While headlines swirled around stars Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, it was the supporting casts that made the matchup so impressive. A blood bath until the end, Iowa defeated UConn 71-69 to advance to the NCAA Championship game vs. South Carolina.

Unfortunately, the matchup didn't come without controversy. Down by one point with less than 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, UConn center Aliyah Edwards was nabbed for the offensive screen against Gabbie Marshall. Foul or not, Marshall has excelled in drawing charges her entire career.

While it's generated buzz around social media, it was a call that secured the victory for Iowa. While Bueckers downplayed the call, the Huskies were cut short of a potential game tying bucket to win the game. No matter if the call was right or not, it was heart breaking for the Huskies.

pic.twitter.com/qvMbjaqmo3 https://t.co/CzNgZb69Ys
— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) April 6, 2024

Visibly upset in the post-game conference, Geno Auriemma gave his thoughts on that final possession call.
There’s probably an illegal screen call that you could make on every single possession,” said Auriemma. “I just know there were three or four of them called on us. And I don’t think there were any called on them. So, I guess we just gotta get better at not setting illegal screens." (CBS Sports).

While there was scrutiny towards the referees for the end of gameplay, we can't let that take away from the brilliance between these two teams. A revenge game for Iowa, they were previously bumped from the Sweet 16 during Clark's freshman season by UConn. This time, Iowa coach Lisa Bluder and the Hawkeyes simply had too much chemistry and depth to slide by the Huskies.

UConn vs. Iowa made history

(Photo by Shawn McLurkin/Ballislife)

One for the history books, the highly anticipated Final Four matchup generated 14.2 million viewers on ESPN. According to the network, the viewership peaked at 17 million spectators, making it the most-watched Women's college basketball game in history. Per ESPN, it was the most-viewed college event to air on ESPN+, and ESPN's second-best non-football telecast ever.

Those incredible stats not only emphasize the importance of this match-up but also the growth and evolution of women's basketball. No matter what the outcome, this will go down as one of the most impactful matchups the game has ever seen.

All eyes have surrounded Caitlin Clark and her quest to pass Pete Maravich for the all-time NCAA scoring record. The nation-leading scorer passed Maravich for the record with 49 points against Michigan, making her the most prolific scorer of all time. Notorious for her lengthy three-point attempts, she struggled against the Huskies early on.

UConn entered the matchup as three-point underdogs, in large part due to injuries. With a six-player rotation, head coach Geno Auriemma knew the high possibility of foul troubles.

UConn put the clamps on Clark, yet her team shined

Up by a game-high 12 points, the Huskies defense was stifling. Forcing the Hawkeyes to turn the ball over 14 times, it was their defensive poise that kept the score close for most of the game. Clark was smothered by UConn guard Nika Muhl, limited to six points and zero three-pointers in the first half. Quick on their feet, Auriemma's defensive scheme was nothing short of incredible while guarding Clark. Heavily utilizing their double-team system, Clark was forced to pass up the ball on several occasions.

The Huskies are putting the CLAMPS on Caitlin Clark

UConn Leads 13-7 pic.twitter.com/IbxJhuiYCq
— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) April 6, 2024

After the game, Clark commented on UConn's defense, especially Nika Muhl, who held the Hawkeyes to 8-25 three-point shooting.
"UConn is a really good defensive team, one of the best defensive teams we’ve seen all year, said Clark. I think Nika did a tremendous job guarding me." (March Madness PR)

For the Huskies, freshman guard KK Arnold was largely responsible for their lead, as she finished with 14 points, on 6-10 field goal shooting. While Arnold compiled 5 steals, she entered foul trouble early on. Although the Wisconsin native never fouled out, her time off the court deeply impacted the Huskies.

UConn had limited depth and fell into foul trouble

(Photo by Shawn McLurkin/Ballislife)

Center Aliyah Edwards had no choice but to let some Iowa buckets slide due to foul trouble. However, she was a force for the Huskies on the defensive end, adding five steals and one block. Able to take advantage of the mismatches below, she finished with 17 points, and eight rebounds, on 8-15 shooting.

As for UConn star Paige Bueckers, she was bottled up by Iowa's box-and-1 defense, who has been in play all season. Over the matchup, Bueckers finished with just 17 points, on 7-17 field goal shooting. Just 3-8 from three-point range, the guard had trouble finding her rhythm on the offensive end. While it wasn't her best performance, the Hawkeyes forced Bueckers to pass up the rock. In this case, we saw UConn's impact of injuries and lack of experience come back to haunt them.

Ashlynn Shade, Ice Brady, and KK Arnold have been extremely influential as freshmen on this Huskies team. While Brady banked two massive shots towards the end of the game, Shade struggled from the three, hitting just 1-5 from deep. UConn was never supposed to be in this position, and having such success put enormous pressure on the freshman.

Although the Huskies were ultimately defeated, the future is very bright for these young players. How many coaches can say they led their team to the final four with three of their six players listed as freshman?

W.#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/pEAxsd2Nz9
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) April 6, 2024

Iowa is headed to the NCAA Women's Final Championship for the second straight year

For Clark, she found herself and Iowa down by 32-26 at the half. And in true Caitlin Clark fashion, she stepped up when it mattered most. While the overall performance was uncharacteristic of her overall play, Clark finished with 21 points on 7-18 shooting. Adding in nine rebounds and seven assists, Clark was just 3-11 from deep.

The momentum began to shift with 3:49 remaining in the third quarter for Iowa. Down 44-42, Clark completed a four-point play after fouled at the three-point line by Shade. Tied 51-51, Clark sunk seven of her 21 points in the final quarter.

A close game until the final seconds, it was Nika Muhl who put up a bucket after compiling her third steal of that game. While the Huskies closed the gap to just one point, it was Sydney Affolter who came up with the colossal offensive board after a Clark miss at the charity stripe.

Iowa's Hannah Stuelke was the real mvp

(Photo by Shawn McLurkin/Ballislife)

Sure, Clark and Bueckers had significant effects on the game. However, for Iowa, it was the story of sophomore center Hannah Stuelke. Able to dominate in the paint, she finished with a team-high 23 points on 9-12 shooting. Arguably the best player on the court, her 11 third-quarter points brought the Hawkeyes back to life. Similar to a quarterback and their tight end, Clark and Stuelke have undeniable chemistry.

For Stuelke, it was all about aggressiveness and confidence. While she finished with one of the prime games of her career, it's the entire team that showed out.
"I think the confidence is everything," said Stuelke. "Especially hearing Caitlin Clark talk about me like that, it gives me a confidence boost. I think anyone would say that. But they just fed me the ball very well. The ball was going in for me tonight." (March Madness PR)

Overall, it was an impressive showing for two teams who had dreams of making the final stage. An overall effort by every single player on Iowa's roster, they will face South Carolina in the NCAA Women's National Championship game. While the Gamecocks remain undefeated, it was Clark and the Hawkeyes that ended their perfect run last season in the 2023 Final Four.

With tip-off slated for 3:00 p.m. ET Sunday, it will be a dogfight between South Carolina and Iowa for the National Championship. For Caitlin Clark and Kamilla Cardoso, they will see one more game in their collegiate uniforms.

Stay tuned for more NCAA and WNBA-related articles. Click here

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Social Media Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration

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Brooklyn Bound: 2024 WNBA Draft welcomes 1000 fans for memorable move

Sara Jane Gamelli — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 22:07:15 +0000

Witten by

Sara Jane Gamelli

The WNBA Draft shifts its venue from Manhattan to Brooklyn, marking the first opportunity for fans to attend since the drafts held at Mohegan Sun Arena from 2014 to 2016.

^{NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks to the crowd during the 2023 WNBA Draft at Spring Studios on April 10, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)}

It's official. The 28th WNBA annual draft presented by State Farm, will relocate to Brooklyn.

As the WNBA's popularity continues to soar, the Draft will feature a plethora of events. This year, 1000 fans will have the chance to witness the draft live, marking the first occurrence since the 2014-2016 season. That being said, the event is scheduled to occur on April 15th at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM).

Why not shine the spotlight on some of the most talented athletes in the world in front of their fans? This move by the WNBA, spearheaded by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, is nothing short of brilliant.

WNBA DRAFT RELATED ARTICLE

1,000 fortunate fans will be given the chance to attend the draft.

For fans, this provides a firsthand and up-close experience, a rarity not seen in eight years. According to the WNBA, tickets will be available to the public starting from March 7. Following in the footsteps of the NBA, the WNBA is prioritizing its fans, spotlighting the exceptional talent in this year's draft.

Moreover, Iowa sensation Caitlin Clark is eligible to declare for the draft, adding to the anticipation. Alongside Clark, a wealth of talent is poised for the upcoming season, igniting excitement among fans and viewers alike.

“We are focused on creating elevated events that WNBA fans won’t want to miss, at a time when the energy for the WNBA has never been higher,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a press release statement. “Last season resulted in our most-watched-regular season in over two decades, our highest total attendance in 13 years and set record figures across WNBA digital and social platforms.

The WNBA's exponential growth highlights the need for the league and its players to receive the recognition they rightfully deserve. While there are several areas needing improvement, women's sports, in general, are on the rise.

The future is NOW

The 2024 WNBA Draft presented by @statefarm will be OPEN to the fans at an all NEW location!

April 15th
Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, N.Y. (BAM)
Tickets go on sale Thursday March 7th – https://t.co/7JTr1YylLV
Airing exclusively on ESPN… pic.twitter.com/vxMzzxQLHb
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 28, 2024

Viewership among national television partners surged by nearly 21 percent, reflecting the WNBA's remarkable growth throughout the season. The 2023 WNBA Draft, in particular, garnered an average of 572,000 viewers, marking the most-watched draft since 2004. Attendance rose by 16 percent, and the WNBA experienced significant increases in social media engagement, sports betting activity, and digital platform interactions.

The Brooklyn Academy of Music will host the event

The Brooklyn Academy of Music has been home to numerous renowned events in music, theater, film, dance, and more. With a legacy spanning over 160 years, the Academy will serve as the host venue for the highly anticipated event come April.

Having previously been held in Manhattan and the Mohegan Sun Arena, the evening will be filled with various festivities. To begin, players will have the opportunity to flaunt their fashion and personalities on the "Orange Carpet" and will speak to the media before they get their names called. Before the event commences, the prospects will visit the Empire State Building to kick off the draft festivities with a lighting ceremony.

As the talent pool continues to expand, the WNBA will unveil "Draft Central" in March. Modeled after the NBA's platform, this initiative will spotlight the skills and analyses of draft prospects. Moreover, it will offer fans and media the opportunity to access team-specific information, including transactions, news, and picks.

This development marks a significant milestone for the WNBA and underscores the league's evolution. Providing comprehensive draft prospect and team information is crucial for the league's growth and visibility.

As the official start to the WNBA season, we knew the WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm should be transformed into a larger, fan-focused event to celebrate the incredible talent set to enter the draft, "said Engelbert.

Despite the draft lottery taking place on December 10, the Indiana Fever retain the No. 1 pick in this year's draft. However, due to a series of transactions, the draft order now looks markedly different compared to the time of the lottery.

Below is the updated draft order for the teams:

2023 #WNBADraft

No. 1: Aliyah Boston (IND)
No. 10: Zia Cooke (LA)
No. 24: Brea Beal (MIN) pic.twitter.com/EqFXK5zbXP
— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) April 11, 2023

Round no.1

Indiana Fever
Los Angeles Sparks
Chicago Sky (via Phoenix Mercury)
Los Angeles (via Seattle Storm)
Dallas Wings (via Chicago Sky)
Washington Mystics
Minnesota Lynx
Los Angeles Sparks (via Atlanta Dream)
Dallas Wings
Connecticut Sun
New York Liberty
Atlanta Dream (Las Vegas Aces)

Round no.2

Phoenix Mercury
Seattle Storm
Indiana Fever
Los Angeles Sparks
Chicago Sky
Las Vegas Aces (via Washington Mystics)
Minnesota Lynx
Atlanta Dream
Washington Mystics (via Dallas Wings)
Connecticut Sun
New York Liberty
Las Vegas Aces

Round no. 3

Phoenix Mercury
Seattle Storm
Indiana Fever
Los Angeles Sparks
Chicago Sky
Las Vegas Aces (via Washington Mystics)
Minnesota Lynx
Atlanta Dream
Washington Mystics (via Dallas Wings)
Connecticut Sun
New York Liberty
Las Vegas Aces

The 2024 WNBA Draft is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on April 15th. Viewers can catch the action live on ESPN, with the event featuring WNBA Countdown presented by Google on the ESPN app. For fans eager to stay updated throughout the night, wnba.com will be the go-to source.

As the draft heads to Brooklyn, the world eagerly anticipates capturing and celebrating the journeys of these prospects both on and off the court as they embark on the next chapter of their careers.

The WNBA season will kick off on May 15 with four games scheduled to start at 7 p.m ET.

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Liberty's loyalty: Breanna Stewart's renewed commitment to New York sparks excitement

Sara Jane Gamelli — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 00:36:28 +0000

Written by

Sara Jane Gamelli

The New York Liberty has officially announced that Breanna Stewart, the reigning MVP, has opted to continue her journey with the team.

^{(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)}

The top WNBA free agent has officially signed a new contract. On Monday, the New York Liberty announced that Breanna Stewart would be coming back to the team under a one-year, non-guaranteed agreement.

Stewart, designated as "cored" by the Liberty, implies that she wouldn't transition into a restricted free agent during the off-season. Under a core designation in the WNBA, Stewart was exclusively allowed to negotiate and communicate with New York during this year's free agency window. This core status grants the Liberty financial maneuverability and exclusive negotiating privileges.

Breanna Stewart takes a pay cut which gives the Liberty financial flexibility

The MVP is in the building!

Breanna Stewart@Ballislife #WNBA pic.twitter.com/hjCSTG3L5U
— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) September 26, 2023

In her agreement, Stewart accepted a reduced salary, falling below the league's maximum deal. This calculated decision provides New York with the optimal chance to vie for a championship while also retaining numerous high-profile players. The Maximum regular salary in the WNBA is worth $208,219.

As reported by The Athletic, the agreement provides both Stewart and the Liberty with "tremendous flexibility in future negotiations," suggesting Stewart's desire to remain with the organization long-term. Demonstrating a commitment to building a strong roster, General Manager Kolb diligently re-signed Sabrina Ionescu, Kayla Thorton, and Betnijah Laney before the onset of free agency.

When appointed as General Manager in 2019, Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb harbored a vision of constructing a championship-winning team. Awarded the title of 2023 WNBA Executive of the Year, Kolb ensured the return of the cornerstone of his plan by securing Breanna Stewart.

“It’s a monumental day in New York as we are thrilled to welcome back the MVP, Breanna Stewart,” said Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb in a press release. “Stewie's return marks our unwavering commitment to excellence and our collective drive to bring a championship to New York. Welcome back, Stewie!”

BREANNA STEWART
She has a career-high & franchise-high 45 PTS (15/20 FG) midway through the 4th quarter!

The other team has 55 PTS!!

pic.twitter.com/mVchxhU5CP
— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) May 21, 2023

Stewart will play a pivotal role in guiding the Liberty toward another championship victory.

Breanna Stewart, at 29 years old, has showcased her exceptional talent and leadership as she enters her second year with the New York Liberty. Under her guidance, the team achieved a remarkable feat by reaching the finals, marking their first appearance in the championship series since 2002. A 2x MVP, Stewart spent the first six seasons with the Seattle Storm, where she won two championships. The no. 1 pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft, Stewart has expressed the desire to be "great" and bring a championship to the city of New York.

Despite falling short against the formidable Las Vegas Aces in a captivating series, Stewart's performance throughout the season captivated audiences and generated numerous storylines. Her contributions both on and off the court undoubtedly solidified her status as a standout player in the league.

After achieving a career-high average of 23.0 points, 3.8 assists, 9.3 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game, the former UConn Husky was honored with the MVP trophy. Renowned for her exceptional two-way skills, Stewart maintained impressive shooting percentages of 46.5 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from beyond the three-point line.

Breanna Stewart breaks silence on signing: "I'm back"

Despite being on a team with abundant talent, she accomplished the remarkable feat of scoring four 40-point games, setting a new record in WNBA history. Guided by head coach Sandy Brondello, Stewart is cherished as a valued teammate, earning admiration for her contributions both on and off the court.

The decision follows New York's re-signing of center/forward Jonquel Jones to a two-year contract. With aspirations of returning to the WNBA Finals, the Bahamas native played a pivotal role in the Liberty's achievements last season.

After failing to sign Nneka Ogwumike in free agency, New York recently signed Kennedy Burke to fill a crucial bench position. With the WNBA draft right around the corner, New York currently holds the no. 11 pick. The most important question, is with Leonie Fiebich and Ivana Dojki? signed on minimum deals, what is Kolb's next projected move?

Even with the departures of Jocelyn Willoughby and Stephanie Dolson in free agency, Breanna Stewart's decision to accept a salary below the maximum allows the Liberty the opportunity to strengthen their bench and mount another championship campaign.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Breanna Stewart succinctly addressed her recent signing with just two words: "I'm back."

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Caitlin Clark secures historic title as leading scorer in Division I Women's Basketball

Sara Jane Gamelli — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 19:58:29 +0000

Caitlin Clark Leaves Basketball World in awe, notching a career-High 49 Points in record-breaking performance. The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Michigan Wolverines, 106-89 in a blow out fashion at home.

Written by

Sara Jane Gamelli

^{IOWA CITY, IOWA- FEBRUARY 15: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after breaking the NCAA women's all-time scoring record during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on February 15, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)}

"You break it, you own it." That was the Nike theme of Thursday night.

What an extraordinary evening for Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark. Despite Michigan employing a box-and-one defense, Clark proved she was unstoppable.

She started the night just eight points shy of the all-time Division 1 women's basketball scoring title. In front of a packed crowd at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Clark reached this milestone less than three minutes into the game. The historic shot came on a three-pointer with 7:48 remaining in the first quarter, assisted by Gabbie Marshall. She finished the night with a career-high 49 points, 5 rebounds, and 13 assists, on 16-31 (51.6 percent field goal shooting).

Clark is close to passing Pete Maravich for the all-time scoring record

With a grin, Clark expressed certainty about the manner in which she would surpass the scoring record.

"You all knew I was going to shoot a logo three for the record, come on now," Clark said post game followed by laughter. (Iowa Hawkeyes PR).

Clark has now surpassed Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum, becoming the top scorer in Division 1 Women's Basketball with 3,569 points. She currently trails Antoine Davis of Detroit Mercy by 95 points, who holds the second all-time position for Division 1 men's basketball with 3,664 points.

"Pistol Pete" Maravich, representing LSU, remains at the pinnacle of the leaderboards as the all-time leading scorer in Division 1 NCAA men's basketball with 3,667 points. With a gap of 98 points behind Maravich, Clark would have to maintain an average of 24.5 points or higher over the remaining four games of the season. With Clark averaging 32.8 points on the season, she's on pace to break Maravich's record. This would likely occur on senior night, against Ohio State, on Mar. 3.

Caitlin Clark. All-time DI Women’s Basketball Scorer. A household name. #NCAAWBB x @IowaWBB pic.twitter.com/dJ6b1re8Ny
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) February 16, 2024

The Caitlin Clark effect is REAL

As her family looked on, the crowd burst into cheers as Clark hurried back into transition defense. With 7:18 remaining in the first quarter, her teammates greeted the basketball sensation on the court. Clark, sporting a wide smile, shared an emotional moment with Iowa head coach Lisa Blunder. After taking a seat to replenish with fluids, she received a standing ovation, and announcement at the arena.

Laughing it off, Clark stated "I thought coach Blunder was going to call the timeout before I had to go play defense. But she didn't, so I had to go play defense."

Admitting she could've hit the shot much earlier, Clark insisted she was a tad tired. After all, she scored a total of eight minutes in less than three minutes. All too real, the Hawkeyes guard remembers the moment as clear as ever.

"I think I kind of stepped back to my left a little bit and was able to get it off." said Clark (Hawkeyes PR)

Beaming during the post-game press conference, Clark expressed gratitude for the experience.

"I don't know if you can script it any better," Clark told the media. "Just to do it in this fashion, I'm very grateful. I'm very thankful to be surrounded by so many people that have kind of been my foundation ij everything that I've done since I was a young little girl." (Iowa Hawkeyes PR)

The Caitlin effect is real. The impact of Caitlin is undeniable, as she has profoundly influenced the growth and development of women's basketball. Continuing to assert her dominance on the court, Clark emerges as a transformative figure, inspiring not only women's sports but also young fans with aspirations.

In a league of her own! Caitlin Clark is your all time leading scorer! pic.twitter.com/PUliKhRHxl
— Ballislife Womens Basketball (@ballislifewbb_) February 16, 2024

Caitlin Clark has elevated women's sports

By elevating the visibility of women's basketball, Clark emerges as a generational talent with a profound impact both on and off the court, a legacy destined to endure for years to come. According to the NCAA, schools that host Iowa and Clark have seen an increase in attendance up to 150 percent. And let's not overlook the 55,646 spectators who attended a preseason game against DePaul at Kinnick Stadium. This alone shattered the all-time attendance record for women's basketball (NCAA).

"The way these fans support women's basketball is so special," Caitlin Clark said.

In addition to her rising popularity, three of Iowa's games have been aired on major networks this season. Leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, the Iowa vs. Nebraska game garnered an astonishing 1.77 million views, setting a record for women's basketball on the Fox network. With women's sports raising in popularity, thanks to Clark and other rising players, ESPN has a new eight year media deal with the NCAA.

Gaining popularity by leaps and bounds, Clark transcends mere scoring. With averages of 6.9 rebounds and 8.5 assists, the guard showcases elite skills on the glass and is a remarkable playmaker. Reflecting on her early days with the Hawkeyes, she recalls the sparse media presence at games. Nonetheless, she maintains that her approach to the game has remained unchanged.

"There was like no one here," said Clark on her first game with Iowa her Freshman year. "I saw some clips of me playing the other day--I look a lot different, my hair is a lot longer, I'm very very scrawny, I had no muscle definition. A lot of my game is the exact same, so that was funny to watch, and it's crazy how time flies. It feels just yesterday I was playing that game with nobody in the stands, wearing a mask on the bench. It's kind of cool to see the evolution of what this has become." (Hawkeyes PR).

The Caitlin Clark effect.

Every @IowaWBB away game has been a sellout pic.twitter.com/i3CUjhVKhb
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 11, 2024

Despite breaking the record, Caitlin Clark is all about her team

Despite the historic nature of the night, Clark redirected her gratitude towards her teammates and their exemplary performance against Michigan. With four games left in the season, the guard is fully focused on finishing strong and making a deep run into March Madness. At 23-3, Iowa remains the No. 4 seed.

"I think getting this record is tremendous and has to be celebrated," Clark told the press. "There's been so many people to come before me and lay such a great foundation for women's basketball and that has to be celebrated too. We are getting into the best part of basketball season. These are the times where your team really shows who they are. I think Iowa basketball is at such a high right now, and it's so fun to watch. Just trying to enjoy every single second, because this team is special." (Hawkeyes PR).

Expressing we wouldn't be where she is without her teammates, Clark insisted "Going forward, it's all Iowa basketball, and that's what it should be."

Iowa's next challenge awaits as they prepare to face off against No. 14 Indiana on the road on February 22nd. Following that matchup, they will go head-to-head against Illinois, Minnesota, and Ohio State in their upcoming games.

One of the best to ever play the game, the Iowa sensation is eligible to turn pro at the end of the year. If not, she has the choice to return to Iowa for a fifth season.

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Caitlin Clark continues greatness, passes 3,000 career points

Sara Jane Gamelli — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 18:23:06 +0000

Written and edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

NCAA Women's basketball phenomenon Caitlin Clark continues to rise in the history books, this time surpassing 3,000 career points against Iowa State Wednesday night.

^{AMES, IA - DECEMBER 6: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes shoots and scores on a three-pointer to break 3,000 career points against Nyamer Diew #5 and Addy Brown #24 of the Iowa State Cyclones in the second half at Hilton Coliseum on December 6, 2023 in Ames, Iowa. The Hawkeyes won 67-58. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)}

Caitlin Clark is her.

If you didn't know, Iowa State had homecourt advantage for their matchup against rivals Iowa Hawkeyes. While Cyclone fans chanted "overrated" towards Clark, she kept her poise. Clark then hit a major milestone, becoming just the 15th woman in NCAA Basketball to surpass 3,000 NCAA career points. One of the most exceptional athletes to ever hit the hardwood, Clark is the first player in NCAA history with 3,000 points, 750 assists, and 750 rebounds. With those statistics, she becomes the first player in Division 1 basketball history, including both men's and women's to achieve such a milestone. Truly a sensational hooper, it's safe to say Caitlin Clark is in a league of her own.

The moment.
HISTORY!!!!!
?@CaitlinClark22?
only player ever with 3000 points 750+assists 750+rebounds
Mom, Dad and Brother love it!!! pic.twitter.com/NGFUGVMVuL
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) December 7, 2023

While Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum still holds the NCAA D1 women's basketball scoring record with 3,527 points, at 3,013 total points, Clark has the chance to shatter Plums record. Compiling 1,055 total points in the 2022-2023 season, the rising star is more than likely to top the leaderboard, with 20 regular season games remaining. Trailing Plum by 514 points, if consistent, the guard would need to average 25.7 points for the next 20 games.

That means, Clark would pass Kelsey Mitchell, Jackie Stiles, Brittney Griner, Patricia Hoskins, Lorri Bauman, Jerica Coley, Rachel Banham, Elena Delle Donne, Maya Moore, Chamique Holdsclaw, and Cheryl Miller, on the leaderboard.

Caitlin Clark is HER.

She surpasses 3⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣career points, and becomes just the 15th woman in NCAA to hit the achievement. pic.twitter.com/EpjbqeRgHf
— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) December 7, 2023

With that achievement in site, Clark has been drawing sellout crowds, which included over 50,000 fans at a scrimmage preseason. Known for her prodigious three-point shooting, Clark has put her rebounding and flashy passing skills on full display. While conceding to the LSU Tigers in last year's championship game, Clark and the Hawkeyes are currently ranked as the No.4 seed. While the basketball speaks for itself, the "Clark effect" has been real. Her swagger, the way she handles herself, is contagious. As she continues to gather respect from celebrities, former WNBA star Sue Bird and actor Jason Sudeikis were in attendance against Bowling Green.

On Wednesday evening, the Iowa Hawkeyes Womens basketball team defeated the Iowa State Cyclones 67-58. In dramatic fashion, Clark finished with 35 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, on 37.5 percent three-point shooting. Up 40-39 over the Cyclones with 6:11 left to go in the third quarter, Clark notoriously pulled a deep three-pointer in transition to surpass 3,000 career points. Humble as ever, No. 22 trotted back and clapped as the crowed went into a frenzy.

Mainly a scrappy game, especially in the second quarter, Iowa went on a 13-3 run in the fourth quarter, after the Cyclones took a two-point lead. Averaging 29.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.6 assists, the Hawkeye remains the 2023-2024 scoring leader.

And for the Hawkeyes, guard, she didn't have a clue how close she was to the achievement until watching a segment on ESPN days prior.

"I obviously didn't know I was going to eclipse 3,000 points until a few days ago, I was watching ESPN, " Clark told reporters. No. 22 stated she learned of the news when watching the South Carolina game, announced by Debbie Antonelli.

"It's cool, especially to do it here," said Clark post-game. "I have a lot of family in attendance. But it was kind of same when I broke the Iowa scoring record. We keep playing. We don't celebrate in the timeout. That's not what it's about."

While she acknowledged her achievements, Clark made it known winning is a priority, and scoring 3,000 points in a loss wouldn't be the ideal situation.

A generational talent, Clark has been primed for another colossal season, in what could be her final year with Iowa. While she's publicly stated she's "going to trust her gut, Clark has the option to return for the 2024-2025 season of she decides to forgo the WNBA Draft. Regardless of what team you support, we cannot ignore the impact Clark has imprinted on the game, especially women's basketball.

With the Draft Lottery set for Dec. 10, the Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, and Los Angeles Sparks all have the opportunity to secure the No.1 pick.

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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.

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Aces defeat Liberty in heartbreaking game 4 loss, repeat as Champions

Sara Jane Gamelli — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 04:30:28 +0000

The Las Vegas Aces defeated the New York Liberty 70-69, and captured their second consecutive WNBA title. They are the first team to win back-to-back WNBA titles in 21 years.

Written and edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

^{BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 18: Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) hoists the championship trophy after defeating the New York Liberty in game 4 of the 2023 WNBA Finals between on October 18, 2023, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)}

The Aces win their second consecutive WNBA Championship

Heartbreaking loss for the Liberty. Congrats to the Aces on winning the 2023 WNBA Championship pic.twitter.com/aoUaOBF20T
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) October 19, 2023

Game four of the WNBA Finals was intense, disappointing, and exciting all at the same time. New York Liberty fans were left heartbroken, while the Las Vegas Aces celebrated their triumph on New York's home court. In a low scoring affair, the Aces defeated the Liberty 70-69, which was a dogfight up until the final seconds.

With a one point victory, the Las Vegas Aces stormed the middle of the court in front of 16,000 plus New York Liberty fans. Having been there before, the Aces finally captured their second straight WNBA Championship. Las Vegas seized another trophy in what was the most watched game four in WNBA history. They did so without Chelsea Gray, Candace Parker, and Kiah Stokes, all out with foot injuries.

Through a rollercoaster of a season, the aces stated they've experienced adversity all season long. If there's one constant, it's been A'ja Wilson's brilliant play and determination to win.

You can really tell the Aces and A’ja Wilson are a tight group for real. It shows in all aspects. #wnba #WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/CWSrdsdlsT
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) October 19, 2023

"We kept the main thing, the main thing, and we remained focused through everything," told the press. "We weathered the storms, I think that's what I'm very happy about. They hit us with a big punch, and we came back harder."

The Aces bench came out to play

Crowned Finals MVP, Wilson led the Aces with 24 points and 16 rebounds, 15 of which came during the second half. The Aces are the first team in 21 years to win back-to-back titles. They join the Houston Comets and the Los Angeles Sparks as the only teams to do so.

Up 39-30 at halftime, New York never truly found their rhythm on either side of the ball. With the Aces starting Alysha Clark and Cayla George, the Liberty couldn't capitalize on the the loss of Gray and Stokes. No disrespect to Clark and George, but Chelsea Gray is not replaceable. Although Gray was sidelined on the bench, she remained vocal on the bench in leading her team. Don't let the Aces bench fool you, they are poised with professionals that were willing and ready to play.

Becky Hammon #wnba #wnba pic.twitter.com/AHnExHkeP3
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) October 19, 2023

"This is probably the tightest group I've ever been around," said Aces coach Becky Hammon. "They're a special group, I don't know what else you can throw at them. All we did is buckle down and keep playing."

The New York Liberty were "highly disappointed"

The Liberty's ball movement wasn't fluid, and their shots simply weren't falling. Looking disheveled, New York shot just 26-72 (36.1 percent) from the field, and 9-26 (34.6 percent) from long range. Sabrina Ionescu finished with 13 points, and Betnijah Laney 15. The Most Valuable Player, Breanna Stewart finished with just 10 points and 14 rebounds on 3-17 (17.6 percent) shooting. Her 38 percent effective field-goal percentage was the lowest of any 10 game-game stretch in her career.

Despite such a successful season, and a franchise best 32-8 finish, the Liberty fell short of their championship desires.

Having experienced both winning and losing in the finals, Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot stated their level of disappointment was "very high."

"It's hard to answer these questions right now because we're so disappointed, and it's such an emotional time," Vandersloot continued. "We're proud that we had the opportunity to play for a championship. It didn't go out way tonight. This is what we came here to do, we're trying to build a championship team. We are going to use this as a learning experience, you can only get better from here."

Vandersloot finished with a team high 19 points, 6 assists, and 7 rebounds on 50 % three-point shooting. Having struggled with her shot throughout the playoffs, Vandersloot very much kept the Liberty in the game tonight.

The New York Liberty's downfall has been losing leads in the third quarter, which is exactly what happened in game four. Las Vegas outscored New York 23-13, and held them to 25 percent shooting. Cayla George, an unlikely hero, made two key three pointers on four attempts. With the task of guarding Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, George finished +1, 11 points, 3 steals, and four rebounds.

By the end of the third, the Aces were shooting 50 percent from the field, and 40 percent from three. A'ja Wilson made several shots over Jonquel Jones, who finished with just 6 points and 11 rebounds, in 33 minutes played.

It was a dogfight until the end

THE FINAL SECONDS THAT CROWNED THE @LVACES BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS pic.twitter.com/YhlV9rCzYb
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 19, 2023

Tied 64-64, the crowd remained intense and involved at the Barclay's Center. Down 70-64 with 1:12 to go, the Aces could taste another Championship victory. In a matter of seconds, guard Courtney Vandersloot made the most important three-pointer of the season, followed by steal and a Sabrina Ionescu made shot over Sydney Colson. Down 70-69 with 41.7 seconds remaining, Jonquel Jones had a momental block on A'ja Wilson, in which Courtney Vandersloot grabbed the unlikely defensive rebound.

At that moment, New York took a timeout with 8.8 seconds to go. With the season on the line, the Liberty had to score on the final posession. Alysha Clark on Stewart, the ball was passed to Betnijah Laney, guarded by Kelsey Plum, and onto Courtney Vandersloot. Less than 2 seconds left, Vandersloot badly missed a mid range shot which concluded the game. In a building that was once filled with an enormous amount of energy, it felt so lifeless.

Tune in to the #WNBAFinals Game 4 Post Game Presser https://t.co/3rhTYWDP7o
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 19, 2023

New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello expressed her faith in putting the ball in the hands of Breanna Stewart. "I put the ball in the hands of the MVP because we trusted. It just didn't work out today. I'd still do it again, I still make that, that's the right call."

Alysha Clark, now a 3x WNBA Championship, dedicated the win to her late father. She had the game winning defensive stop against Stewart.

"He's been with me all season," Clark told Holly Rowe. "He's been by sixth man and I know he would be so happy right now. This is for him, this entire season, I showed up everyday because I know he loved watching me play."

Clark finished with 10 points, and 8 rebounds, on 4-7 shooting. Guards Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young combined for 23 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. The New York Liberty are still in search of their first WNBA Championship in franchise history.

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Aces crush Liberty 104-76, cruise to a 2-0 finals lead

Sara Jane Gamelli — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 02:24:50 +0000

The Las Vegas Aces defeated the New York Liberty in dramatic fashion on Wednesday evening. Led by A'ja Wilson, the Aces scored a WNBA record 38 points in the first quarter. The Aces are one win away from capturing their second consecutive WNBA Championship.

Written by

Sara Jane Gamelli

^{October 11, 2023; The New York Liberty fall to The Las Vegas Aces 104-76 in Game 2 of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. (Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

The Las Vegas Aces are ELITE

The @LVAces set a new WNBA Finals 1Qscoring record with 38 PTS #WNBAFinals | @YouTubeTV | #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/zXteyNft6z
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 12, 2023

No Candace Parker? No problem for the Aces.

Unable to regroup after a devastating game one loss, the Liberty looked unrecognizable as the Aces torched New York in game two of the WNBA Finals. Las Vegas started the game on a 27-7 run, and finished with a WNBA Finals record 38 points in the first quarter. The Aces defeated the Liberty 104-76, bringing them one step closer to another WNBA Championship. After dropping two consecutive losses for the first time this season, the Liberty are on the brink of elimination.

Through the first ten minutes, the Aces shot 14-20 on 70 percent field goal, and 6-10, 60 percent three-point shooting. It all started with Kelsey Plums step back three-pointer over Sabrina Ionescu, and ended with Chelsea Gray's mid range shot. The Liberty often looked disheveled on defense, allowing Kiah Stokes to shoot a wide open three-pointers in the corner. Stokes, primarily a defensive juggernaut for the Aces, had 5 points alone in the first, and 8 total. She's averaged only 2.2 points in the regular season.

Related article, click here!

The Liberty couldn't punch first

New York looked lifeless, and missed their first three shots to start the first quarter. Slow in transition defense, Las Vegas was able to known down three pointers, and attack inside. With a 19-2 lead, the Aces were able to capitlize on several possession where New York couldn't hit their shots. The Liberty finished the first quarter with 19 points on 30 percent field goal, and 20 percent three-point shooting. Breanna Stewart led the way with 7 points and 3 rebounds.

Speaking of transition defense, Coach Brondello noticed some deja vu in game two. "We talked about transition defense," Brondello continued. "No one was matched up with anyone. Our guards struggled out there tonight, their guards could do whatever they wanted."

New York hardly looked like the Liberty team that finished a franchise best 32-8 to end the season. Their offensive and defensive schemes were out of rhythm, leaving them unable to bounce back from such a large deficit. "I think it's disappointing, said Breanna Stewart of defeat. " We still have a lot of basketball to be played. This is the Finals and there's no reason why we shouldn't be ready to go from the start of the game to the start of the third quarter. As frustrating as it is, we still have an opportunity."

Jonquel Jones takes over the second quarter

Ballin' at its finest, @jus242 is gettin' buckets #WNBAFinals | @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/DQQlrEwTO5
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 12, 2023

New York had a collosal second quarter, in which they outscored Las Vegas 28-13. The offense primarily flowed through Jonquel Jones, who put up 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Jones finished with a team high 22 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks. Outside of Jonquel, New York's offense looked relatively stagnant, and comatose. New York's backcourt continued to struggle, with Ionescu and Vandersloot shooting a combined 1-9. Jones utilized her size and mismatches, in which she accounted for 64 percent of the Liberty's offense in the second quarter.

"We haven't taken steps forward, no we haven't shown it," said Liberty coach Sandy Brondello. "We're disappointed, very disappointed because we're way better team than what we showed. We're better, We're better than this. The challenge is to go home and to win on Sunday."

With fluid ball movement, the Aces often caught the Liberty collapsing inside the paint, which opened up opportunities on the outside. Chelsea Gray was incredibly accurate, hitting several improbably shots before the shot clock expired. Gray, finished with 14 points and 11 assists on the night, which marks her second on the All-Time Finals Assists leaderboard.

A'ja Wilson is playing at an MVP level

A'ja Wilson had a MONSTER performance in game 2 of the WNBA Finals#WNBATwitter pic.twitter.com/20U9blasn3
— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) October 12, 2023

Defensive Player of the year and 2x WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson scored a team high 26 points and 15 rebounds. Jackie Young had another monumental game, finishing with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Their core four, Wilson, Young, Plum, and Gray combined for 95 points, hardly missing any shots. The Aces are the only team in WNBA history to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, and 40 percent on three-pointers in consecutive games. That in itself should show the level of eliteness on this team. In fact, they are the only team in history to have three players score 20 points in two finals games.

is continuing to prove how elite she really is. She led the team in Points, Rebounds, and Blocks, for the second time in her Finals Career. She joins her opponent Jonquel Jones, as well as Lisa Lesley, as the only players to accomplish that stat line. In prime season form, Wilson was an automatic bucket from mid range last night.

"They were good tonight", Becky Hammon told the press."They don't leave me speechless very often, but they executed defensively. Offensively shared it, everything we've been asking them to do."

Las Vegas shreds New York in the third quarter

Defended The @_ajawilson22: 26 PTS // 15 REB // 63% FG@JackieYoung3: 24 PTS // 8 REB // 4 AST // 56% FG@Kelseyplum10: 23 PTS // 8 AST // 3 STL // 5 3PM@cgray209: 14 PTS // 6 REB // 11 AST // 43% FG@kstokes41: 8 PTS // 7 REB // 2 3PM#RaiseTheStakes pic.twitter.com/6kXhQ1QO4h
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) October 12, 2023

The Las Vegas Aces continued their dominance through the third quarter. Outscoring the Liberty 28-13, New York shot just 31.2 percent from the field. Both Young and Wilson combined for 21 points, which both players compiled several "and ones" at the line. Young especially used her size advantage with Sabrina Ionescu when driving to the basket.

"They are the real deal, said Hammon. They're the real deal. I could really go down the whole list. Their competitiveness and their fight for each other. They're a real team, they're a real team."

In an offensive showdown, the Aces finished the night on 52.9 percent field goal shooting, and 44.8 percent from long range. Their players each had points in double figures, and the lead ballooned to 32 points. Unable to stop the bleeding, the Liberty simple couldn't play to the standards of the Aces. Las Vegas is the first team in WNBA history to average 100 points, 40 rebounds, and 30 assists in a single finals game.

"We know what we're playing for," A'ja Wilson told the press. " The biggest thing when you're approaching this game in a series is keeping the main thing. The main thing and understanding that basketball is a game of runs. I think we understood, and we always tell ourselves, we've got to weather the storm. When you're playing against the Liberty, you have a great team that has a lot of weapons. "

No team has come back from a 0-2 deficit to win the WNBA Finals. Best of five games, the New York Liberty will attempt to capture a victory at home on Sunday.

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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the?University?of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.

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Aces dominate Liberty in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals

Sara Jane Gamelli — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 19:30:18 +0000

In a much-anticipated first game of the WNBA Finals, the Las Vegas Aces defeated the New York Liberty 99-82. After a monstrous second half, the Aces trio of guards combined for 72 points. Unable to get stops on defense, the Aces scored nearly 100 points, on 40.9 three-point field goal shooting. Game two will take place on Wednesday, Oct 11 in Las Vegas.

Written and edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

^{October 8, 2023; The New York Liberty fall to The Las Vegas Aces 99-82 in Game 1 of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. (Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

THE LAS VEGAS ACES DEFEND HOME COURT AND TAKE GAME 1 pic.twitter.com/YY4hiQQXuS
— ESPN (@espn) October 8, 2023

The Liberty had the lead through halftime

The New York Liberty's second half offense looked uncharacteristic, while the Las Vegas Aces had one of the most dominant performances of the postseason. With the regular season series split, excluding the Commissioners Cup, Aces guard Alysha Clark recognized the playoffs are a different experience, in which both teams are "two completely different teams right now." Clark finished with 8 points, 1 steal, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.

The Aces are the reigning 2022 WNBA Champions, while the Liberty haven't appeared in the Finals since 2002. While Las Vegas kept their championship core, the Liberty acquired three stars in the offseason, Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, and Courtney Vandersloot.

Two top teams on offense and defense, the Aces and Liberty equally shot 44.4 percent from the three. In fact, New York had a consistent three-point lead through the first into the half. Through two quarters, both sides were evenly matched, both shooting over 40 percent from three, and nearly 50 percent from the field. For New York, Jonquel Jones had an incredible first half, with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Jones finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, which marks her seventh consecutive double-double this postseason. For the Aces, Jackie Young, A'ja Wilson, and Kelsey plum each had 12, 10, and 14 points though the half.

Aces head coach Becky Hammon stated the team gave themselves a "D" grade in the first quarter. When asked about her team's classification, "I would say C-minus," "said Hammon. "I didn't think they were that bad in the first half, but they turn it around to an A [grade]--I thought they played a pretty good first half, didn't like our defense in the [first half]. We just kind of amped up defense, locked in, and just tried to say solid."

The Aces had a monumental third quarter

AND-1 FOR JY0

The @LVAces are on a roll to end the 3Q

ABC | #WNBAFinals | @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/NjNpTFP7Xq
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 8, 2023

The Aces did exactly what Hammon said. They executed on defense, and exploited New York's offensive weaknesses. In the second and third quarter, Vegas held the Liberty to just 1-9 (11 percent) three-point shooting, and 14-34 (41.2 percent) from the field. Besides Breanna Stewart with 11 second half points, no Liberty player saw numbers in double digits. New York had control of the boards in the first twenty minutes, which the Aces negated in the final half. In the final twenty minutes, the Aces outrebounded the Liberty 19-13. Along with A'ja Wilsons nine second half points, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and Chelsea Gray combined for 38 points in the second part of the meeting. The Aces took control of the paint, with several of their guards penetrating to the rim. New York was held to just 12 points in the paint in the final two quarters.

In a sellout crowd of over 10,000 fans, The Aces went on a 14-4 run in the third quarter, in which they extended to a 20-8 run in the fourth quarter. The Liberty, once up by three at the half, were outscored 53-33 in the second half of the matchup. Unable to answer on the defensive end, New York conceded 27 fourth quarter points to Vegas. All five of the Aces starters, including Alysha Clark, finished positive +/- on the court. With emotions tempered, Aces Head Coach Becky Hammon had to be physically restrained by her players after several questionable calls.

Jackie Young had a career night

?????????????? ?????????? ????????

Playoff career high for @JackieYoung3!

26 PTS
5 REB
4 AST
3 STL
5 3PM#RaiseTheStakes // #WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/c5jmkJv2pb
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) October 8, 2023

Aces Guard Jackie Young was drafted first overall out of Notre Dame by the Aces in the 2019 draft. Originally not the finest three-point shooter, Young has risen to the top, and became the Aces deadliest weapon in game one. In 37 minutes played, Young scored a playoff career high 26 points on 5-8 (60 percent) from long distance. The guard added four assists, five rebounds, and three steals. No. 0 is just the fifth player in WNBA Finals history to average over 25 points and five made three pointers.

Young continued to be the catalyst of the Aces offense through the final two quarters. New York switching from man to zone defense, Jackie Young couldn't be tamed. Through the second half of the matchup, Young scored 14 points on 5-7 field goal shooting (71 percent). All three of her steals came in the back end of the game.

Less than a minute into the first quarter, Jackie Young pulled a deep 25-foot three point shot over Sabrina Ionescu. Four minutes later, Young drilled another three over Ionescu, this time utilizing the strong screen set by Kiah Stokes. Defensively, she held Ionescu to just seven points on 2-7 and 1-5 three-point shooting.

?????? ???????? pic.twitter.com/AycJQ7WMlT
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) October 8, 2023

"She's been impressive all year defensively," Becky Hammon told the press post-game. "Should've have been on one of those teams. She's somebody who going into the season-- I wanted her, you know kind of baby Bron [Lebron James] mode. She's [Young] really taken the challenge of getting downhill. She's strong, [Young] absorbs a lot of contact." Speaking of Lebron James, the "King" was attendance for game one of the Finals.

The Aces trio of guards shined

Four-of-a-Kind

Four Aces scored in double digits to secure the W.@JackieYoung3: 26 PTS // 5 REB // 4 AST // 3 STL // 5 3PM@Kelseyplum10: 26 PTS // 5 REB // 53% FG@cgray209: 20 PTS // 6 REB // 9 AST // 2 BLK // 3 3PM@_ajawilson22: 19 PTS // 8 REB // 2 STL // 3 BLK //… pic.twitter.com/DUpaeFC5hk
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) October 8, 2023

Jackie Young wasn't the only player to have a stellar night for the Aces. Guard Kelsey Plum finished with 25 points, on 10-19 (52.6 percent) field goal shooting, and 1-7 (14 percent) from long range. There were several occasions where Plum was able to drive and find the open lay in. 2022 Finals MVP Chelsea Gray added 20 points on 6-13 (46 percent) field goal, and 3-5 (60 percent) three-point shooting. Gray dished out 9 of the Aces 21 assists. The trio of guards finished with a combined 73 points, 2 blocks, 4 steals, 16 rebounds, and 14 assists. Plum, Young, and Gray all finished the regular season top 15 at their position and points scored. Young lead all guards in field goal percentage (52.3).

"It was a really nice contribution," Hammon said of Young, Gray, and Plum. "The three of them, our trio of guards, I thought were pretty ridiculous overall." Hammon mentioned "Jackie is just scratching the surface of how great she could be."

Defensive Player of the year stated Jackie Young "is the baby sister she never wanted." "I love her to death, and I'm going to make sure I am pulling that confidence out of her, Jackie is a little shy. " Wilson mentioned "eyebrows" were raised when the Aces drafted Young first overall.

Sisters

"I love her to death and I'm going to make sure that I am pulling that confidence out of her... Because when you see that, you get the best Jackie." — @_ajawilson22 on Jackie

"She really instills that confidence in me. She's like my big sister. She's always… pic.twitter.com/8kXHa8E4tU
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) October 9, 2023

The Liberty need to improve defensively

Liberty head Coach Sandy Brondello weighed in the Aces guard's performance post-game. "Well, we didn't do a great job of stopping them, obviously," said Brondello. "They're great players, and they were all getting into the paint. Jackie [Young] obviously was making a lot of threes. I think their movement got us out of position a little." Brondello mentioned the one-on-one defense, and the Aces got "the upper hand" on this game.

Coach Brondello recognized the Liberty need to improve defensively. Through 40 minutes, Las Vegas finished with 99 points, on 35-64 (54.7 percent) field goal shooting, and 9-11 (40.1 percent) from long range. On the guards, Brondello stated, "We've got to make them a little bit harder than what they were. I mean they had too many open layups at the rim."

The Liberty get early offensive support from the "Wizard"

^{October 8, 2023; The New York Liberty fall to The Las Vegas Aces 99-82 in Game 1 of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. (Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

The Las Vegas Aces typically run a six-player lineup, which includes , Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Kiah Stokes, and Alysha Clark. The New York Liberty have slightly more depth, which includes Marine Johannès and Kayla Thornton off the bench. Through 40 regular season games, both the Liberty and Aces ranked near last in bench points. In seven post season games, New York averages the second lowest bench points (seven), compared to the Aces ten. From playing man and zone defense, Sandy Brondello entered guard Marine Johannès in the game early. Through the playoffs, Johannès averages 3.2 points on 31.8 field goal and 29.4 three-point percentage. There' one team the France guard excels against, and that's the Las Vegas Aces.

Marine Johannès is a sniper from long range

^{October 8, 2023; The New York Liberty fall to The Las Vegas Aces 99-82 in Game 1 of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. (Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

In twenty minutes, Johannès scored an early 14 first half points. The guard shot the ball effectively, 5-6 (83 percent) from the field, and 4-5 (80 percent) from downtown. Nicknamed the "Wizard," Johannès provided a spark off the Liberty bench, especially with Courtney Vandersloot struggling. On several instances, No. 23 utilized screens, hitting contested three pointers off one leg. In a Rythm, Johannès was able to create her own shot, again hitting off balance. Similar to the Commissioners Cup, the guard was ready and poised for transition three-pointers. In four regular season games against the Aces, Johannès averaged 6 points on 56.3 percent field goal, and 50 percent three-point shooting. In New York's Commissioners Cup Victory, Johannès scored 17 points on 5-7 three-point shooting.

"Apparently, Johannès really likes to play against us, " said Hammon post-game. "She hits tough ones. Like I'm just a huge fan, other than when she's playing us."

"Marine came out as Marine," said Liberty coach Brondello. " She's had some good games against this team, and she was making shots. " Johannès was limited to zero second half points, in which Brondello credits their defense and rotation.

WNBA Finals Schedule

Game 2: Wed, Oct 11: New York Liberty @ Las Vegas Aces, 9 p.m. EDT, ESPN
Game 3: Sun, Oct 15: Las Vegas Aces @ New York Liberty, 3 p.m. EDT, ABC
Game 4 *: Wed, Oct 18: Las Vegas Aces @ New York Liberty, 8 p.m. EDT, ESPN
Game 5 *: Fri, Oct 20: New York Liberty @ Las Vegas Aces, 9 p.m. EDT, ESPN

The Las Vegas Aces will matchup against the New York Liberty on Wednesday for game two of the WNBA Finals. Best of five games, the Aces will look to stay undefeated in the postseason. For New York, they've never lost two consecutive games, and will look to even up the series.

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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.

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Ballislife EAST vs WEST Coast Squad REMATCH For $10,000!! Nasir Core & Frank Nitty GO AT IT!

Arek Kissoyan — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 16:30:53 +0000

Ballislife East vs West The Rematch for $10,000 went down at Venice Beach, CA last Friday.

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Rosters for WCS: Frank Nitty, Body Bag, Bionic Brooks, Ty Glover, Marcus Bell, Cezar Guerrero and Speedo.

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Liberty, Sabrina Ionescu defeat the Sun 84-77, even up the series 1-1

Sara Jane Gamelli — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 16:28:16 +0000

The New York Liberty defeated the Connecticut Sun 84-77 in game two of the Semifinals. Down 0-1, the Liberty found a way to secure a crucial victory in front of a sellout crowd at the Barclays Center. Best of five games, the series is tied 1-1.

Written and edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

_{(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)}

Hours before tip off, the league learned about Breanna Stewart winning the league MVP. In an emotional day, the Liberty knew what was at stake. Down 0-1, New York responded with resilience and determination. Once down by 12 points, the Liberty managed to change their game play and adapt to Connecticut's defensive strategy.

Prior to the start of the matchup, Breanna Stewart commented on juggling the MVP news along with preparing for a significant matchup. Despite winning the award, Stewart make it clear she was locked in for game two.

"Yeah, it's a juggling act today, " Stewart told the press. "[I am] happy to have my family here, but the moment I step off this podium, it's time to lock in for the game." "I expect to respond really well. Connecticut played well on Sunday, and we're ready to bounce back tonight. It comes down to the way we play-- we want to be the aggressors, we want to play fast."

Despite an early lead, Connecticut went on a 13-2 run in the first quarter. Tiffany Hayes, who finished with a team high 30 points, scored 12 in the first quarter. The Sun held the Liberty to 16.7 percent from the three-point, in which Breanna Stewart and Alyssa Thomas were held scoreless. Similar to game one, New York created four turnovers, in which Connecticut scored six unanswered points.

Jonquel Jones sets the tone early

^{September 27, 2023; The New York Liberty defeat the Connecticut Sun 84-77 during game two of the Semi-Finals in the 2023 Playoffs at Barclays Center Arena. (Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

WE SEE YOU 3⃣5⃣ @jus242 leading the Libs with 11 PTS | 9 REB pic.twitter.com/zNiHIQgZ3M
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 27, 2023

Heading into this series, coach Sandy Brondello learned to adapt her teams strategy outside the three point shot. Jonquel Jones, acquired in the offseason in a three-team trade, has been vital for New York on both sides of the ball. In a must win victory over Washington in the first round, Jones used her size in the paint, when the shots weren't falling. Similarly, the Liberty looked for Jones to utilize her strength and use the mismatches in the post. In the first ten minutes, No. 35 had nine points and three rebounds. Much like the first matchup, Jones was limited to zero points in the second half. The Liberty forward was an integral part of the defense, especially in her matchups with Bonner and Thomas. Jones finished with another double-double, 11 points and 13 rebounds.

In Tuesday's victory, the crowd at the Barclays Center was electric and paramount to the team's success.

"For us, it kind of felt like a do or die situation," said Jones. "We allowed them to come in and you know, basically win on our home court obviously. We felt like we needed to give the fans something to cheer about. "

The Liberty adapted their offensive game plan

^{Photo Credit: Brandon Todd/New York?Liberty}

It's no secret the New York Liberty have struggled shooting the deep ball in the playoffs. Similar to game one, the Liberty found themselves down by twelve points in the second quarter. Determined to secure a win, New York changed their game plan 7:37 minutes before halftime. Betnijah Laney played stiffling defense on Bonner, in addition to hitting her first shots of the game. Sabrina Ionescu, finished with 21 points, one block, one steal, five assists, and two rebounds. 1-5 from long range, Ionescu, continously attacked the rim, drawing fouls on multiple defenders. By halftime, Ty Harris and Rebecca Allen tallied two personal fouls each. Ionescu, 25, had a playoff high of ten free throw attempts made by the end of regulation. The Liberty, a 87.3 percent free-throw shooting team, shot 16-16 from the line Tuesday night.

Sab lit it up in game 2 pic.twitter.com/MQ3WxBBY63
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 27, 2023

Ionescu admits that being a three-point threat can be used to her advantage at times, even when the shots aren't falling. Post game, the guard emphasized the importance of applying pressure to Connecticut's defense by attacking inside the paint. Rebecca Allen, a vital player for the Sun in game one, tallied five personal fouls. Instead of forcing tough shots, New York was excellent on finding patience, and attacking in the right areas.

By the end of regulation, New York outscored Connecticut 32-24 in the paint, which was improbable considering the Sun are the top team against paint points in the playoffs. With zone defense, the Liberty were able to capitalize on the rebounds, along with fast break points. With created turnovers, New York was able to score 11 points, and had effective offense in transition post second half.

"Getting into the paint either to score at the rim or getting to the foul line, " Ionescu commented post game. "For me, it was continuing to read and how they are gonna play me, but not settling. Not settling for jump shots, and understanding what I'm able to do if I'm you know, getting on two feet into the paint and being strong with the ball."

The Liberty heat up in the third quarter

In game one, New York was outscored 28-15 in the third quarter. Down four point at the half, the Liberty executed on their pregame plan. They came out punching first, and were dialed in. The momentum quickly shifted after a Jonquel Jones rebound, which led to a layin by Courtney Vandersloot. With Alyssa Thomas creating a turnover, Betnijah Laney set the tone early with a three-point shot. From there, the home crowd went into a frenzy with a 43-42 Liberty lead.

BIG B AND THE B STANDS FOR BANDS CAUSE THAT WAS MON3YYY @BetnijahLaney pic.twitter.com/JyXyiRKiPM
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 27, 2023

Poised to defeat the Sun, Sandy Brondello's team played New York basketball. In collaboration, New York shot over 42 percent from the three, and 47 percent from the field in that third quarter. With DeWanna Bonner and Tiffany Hayes having honorable performances, New York switched to zone defense, which doesn't happen often.

"We knew we had to win on our home court," Brondello told the media post game. "You could see a very connected team today. We went to the zone, but there's still a lot of communication. The zone was effective for us tonight, but we didn't want to lose. We weren't happy with our last game." That was a big thing for us because we haven't been coming out really strong in that third quarter."

With the effective zone scheme on defense, New York held Connecticut to just 25 percent field goal shooting in the third quarter. Both Tiffany Hayes and DeWanner Bonner were held to four points each. MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas finished with 10 points, on just 2-13 shooting.

Betnijah Laney is the ultimate X-Factor

^{(Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

Betnijah Laney has been a crucial member on both sides of the ball all season long, despite the volume of talent that surrounds her. No. 44 was held to just three points in New York's game one casualty against Connecticut. Often times, Laney is the one to set the tone, which creates momentum and opportunities for her teammates.

Named All-Defensive Second team, Laney is often matched up with some of the leagues most elite. Defending Bonner most of the night, Betnijah was able to defend both the perimeter and Alyssa Thomas on the inside. With Hayes having a impactful night, Laney had some defensive matchups on No. 15.

WE LOVE THIS SONG pic.twitter.com/X4CZcYTMjm
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 27, 2023

Offensively, Laney was able to get some open looks, in addition to fast break opportunities. She finished with 20 points, one steal, three assists, and four rebounds. In 37 minutes, No. 44 shot 5-7 from long range, and 7-11 from the field. Her toughness and resiliency is a crucial part of this team, in which she contributes in various ways the box score doesn't always show.

In a tight 75-70 game, the crowd erupted after Laney banked a three-point shot in transition from Sabrina Ionescu. After DeWanna Bonners four point play, Benijah sunk another three point, extending the the lead 80-70.

"It says a lot of B [Laney], its all about winning," said Brondello. " I think she's improved her three point shooting, and she loves the moment. B [Laney] has been great for us. She scores in multiple ways."

Coach Sandy Brondello expressed how proud she was of Laney, especially embracing a role amongst a talented roster.

Stew York City

^{September 27, 2023; The New York Liberty defeat the Connecticut Sun 84-77 during game two of the Semi-Finals in the 2023 Playoffs at Barclays Center Arena. (Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

Often the MVP is not the player who scores the most every night. On Tuesday evening, Breanna Stewart finished with just 11 points. Her contributions on defense were immense, and set up the Liberty for offensive opportunities. In 39 minutes, the MVP finished with 11 points, five blocks, two steals, five assists and 11 rebounds. Towards the end of the matchup, she found her stride with a three-pointer pick and pop with Courtney Vandersloot.

Things we love to see: IT @breannastewart pic.twitter.com/53sVVi6uwx
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 27, 2023

With four minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Breanna Stewart had a monumental block on Olivia Nelson-Ododa, in which you could feel the energy from fans in Brooklyn. Stewart also had critical blocks over Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner.

MVP WITH THE REJECTION pic.twitter.com/FtRWaeICHk
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 27, 2023

Breanna Stewart continues to make history. Her five blocks is a postseason single-game franchise record.

"We wanted to win for Stewie [Stewart], we wanted to win for ourselves. I think it was the hardest for [Stewart] because that's a big day--- handling all the emotions and all the interviews. She [Breanna Stewart] came out and she competed. It wasn't about scoring here, but just her effort and her leadership, and her overall just running and doing the little things well certainly helped us get the W," said Brondello.

In combination of zone defensive, it was a collaborative effort on offense for New York. All five starters were positive +/- on the floor, and each had points in double figures. Not rushing shots, New York had fluid ball movement, and efficient floor spacing.

The New York Liberty (1-1) will face the Connecticut Sun (1-1) on the road for game three of the Semifinals on Friday, Sept. 28. The best of five games, game three will certainly be a tone setter with the next two matchups on the road.

The post Liberty, Sabrina Ionescu defeat the Sun 84-77, even up the series 1-1 appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

New York Liberty defeat Washington Mystics, 90-75 in Game 1 of WNBA Playoffs

Sara Jane Gamelli — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 21:46:15 +0000

In front of an electric crowd, Sabrina Ionescu helped lift the New York Liberty over the Washington Mystics in Game 1 of the playoffs.

Written and edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

^{(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)}

On Friday night, the New York Liberty defeated the Washington Mystics in dominant fashion after a sluggish start. The No. 1 Seed was awarded home court advantage for the first two games, in a best of three playoff matchups. The Washington Mystics, led by Coach Eric Thibault, finished as the seven-seed, and were plagued by several injuries throughout the season.

Prior to the matchup, Sabrina Ionescu appeared at the podium with teammate Courtney Vandersloot. The guard shed light on the importance of staying locked in during the playoffs. " We all understand that we have to play Liberty basketball for 40 minutes," Ionescu told the media. " We're playing against a great team. We don't view [the Mystics] as a seventh seed. They're a great basketball team that have battled us all year long. We have to take these games as seriously as we can, and I know that we will."

The Washington Mystics won the WNBA title in 2019 and retain several players from that championship roster. Vandersloot, who signed with the Liberty this offseason, described their tough matchup with the Mystics, and why this series won't be a walk in the park. " Washington is a really good team and they kind of struggled with injuries. I think that's the only reason they are the seventh seed," said Vandersloot. " They have great players, they've played together for a long time. This is really similar to their 2019 championship roster."

^{New York Liberty guards Sabrina Ionescu (left) and Courtney Vandersloot (right). Sara Jane Gamelli/Ballislife}

Washington took the early lead in the first quarter

Ionescu and Vandersloot couldn't have said it any better. In ten first quarter minutes, the Mystics attacked the Liberty's weaknesses on defense. Guard Brittney Sykes finished the quarter with seven points, including mid-range shots, and looks off screens. In an all-around team effort, Washington finished shooting 40 percent from three, and over 57 percent from the field. Natasha Cloud grabbed six rebounds, and the Mystics outrebounded the Liberty, 10-7. Towards the end of the first, Cloud nearly threw the ball across court, and found Delle Donne for the bucket. Washington took advantage of the mismatch and finished with 14 points in the paint.

We'll take that @arielatkinssvn with the theft, @Mooks_22 with the bucket #BallOnOurTerms pic.twitter.com/BERzlKhWaV
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) September 15, 2023

Betnijah Laney sets the tone for New York

^{(Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

New York Liberty's Betnijah Laney is the definition of "New York grit." With Breanna Stewart off to a slow start, Laney kept the Liberty in contention with eight first quarter points, which included multiple three pointers. With the help of Jonquel Jones, Betnijah was able to utilize screens and create her own shot. At times, we saw Laney take charge, and had several acrobatic lay ins at the basket. On the defensive side, No. 44 played tough perimeter defense on Sykes, including occasional mismatches down below against Elena Delle Donne. Laney finished with 19 points, and playoff career-high eight rebounds.

’s just that girl pic.twitter.com/XxaoGCS2mF
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 16, 2023

Post game, Breanna Stewart spoke with the media, and the importance of having Betnijah Laney as a teammate. "We've been preparing all week, and really since Sunday. When [Betnijah] sets the tone like that offensively and defensively, the rest of us kind of followed." said Stewart. " B [Betnijah] was here before me. The fact that she never stops playing, obviously being aggressive on both ends, taking pride in things defensively. Her grit and her toughness is one of a kind."

The Liberty find their stride in the second half

^{(Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

For the month of August, the New York Liberty led the WNBA in both offensive and defensive rating. New York also led in total assist percentage and assists to turnover ratio per game. The Liberty, who averaged a league leading 24.1 assists per game, were held to two assists in the first quarter, and only seven by the half.

New York was much more efficient in the second quarter, despite some defensive breakdowns in the paint, and troubles against the pick and roll. Hines-Allen saw several looks in the lane, especially, with weak pick and roll coverage by the Liberty. Myisha Hines-Allen, of the Mystics, had a career-high 21 playoff points.

At the half. pic.twitter.com/zJ72PxREL6
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 16, 2023

Collectively, New York held Washington to 13 points in the second quarter on 5-20 field goal, and 1-4 three-point shooting. Offensively, Brondello's team struggled, finishing just 2-10 from the three, and 9-22 from the field in the second quarter. A majority of their points came in the paint, including mismatches with Jonquel Jones over Ariel Atkins. Jones totaled 20 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, which marked her 11th career postseason double double.

The turning point for New York

For a moment, it looked like a game of volleyball. Betnijah Laney somehow, found herself in the low post, putting up a last second bucket with the tipped assist by Breanna Stewart. With the buzzer beater, the eruption could be felt by fans and personnel inside the Barclays Center. From here on out, the momentum began to shift, and the Liberty headed into the halftime locker room. New York only continued to shine from this point forward.

"Yeah, I mean, plays like that there was momentum. It just gives us some good energy, something to feed off of, and being able to have that play go into the half, knowing we did something well, and feel good coming out, you know, it just fuels us. "said Laney post-game.

Buzzer beater B pic.twitter.com/9g075tIMts
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 16, 2023

Momentum strikes for the New York Liberty

Some would argue that momentum doesn't exists. In this case, New York gained momentum, and their shots started to fall. Much like the second quarter, the Liberty held the Mystics to 15.4 three-point percentage in the second half and Elena Delle Donne, to three points. Jonquel Jones continued to attack inside and found the mismatches. With Delle Donne on Ionescu, Breanna Stewart found her game with 10 points in the back half of the matchup. New York then went on a 21-9 run in the third, and 8-0 in the fourth.

New York showed toughness and physicality a majority of the game. Laney continued to battle amongst multiple defenders in the paint, while Jones and Stewart racked up trips to the free-throw line. Defensively, New York was all over the entire court, fighting for each and every possession. Kayla Thornton, Courtney Vandersloot, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu---all of these players battled for possessions on the ground, even when up by points. By the end of regulation, New York finished with a 35.3 three-point percentage, including hitting 5-10 in the third quarter. The Liberty were able to capitalize on second chance points, as well as rebounds.

Breanna Stewart with an off game, and the Liberty limited to 18 assists, New York still held on for the victory. That in itself is a clear statement about this squad-- they play hard and play team ball. With the Washington Mystics shutting down a majority of New York's passing lanes, the Liberty learned how to adjust, and that's what championship contenders do.

Sabrina Ionescu makes history

HER. pic.twitter.com/yTxe9VHSWX
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 16, 2023

Notoriously known for giving up big leads in the past, up by 12 by the end of the third, New York didn't take their foot off the gas. Sabrina Ionescu, with 9 points at the half, finished with 12th points in the final quarter, and 29 by the end of regulation. Finishing 10-18, and 7-13 from the three, Ionescu finished with a career-high 29 points in the playoffs. No. 20 showed zero hesitation, both driving to the basket, and hitting shots from downtown. With 1.7 seconds left to go in the third, up by ten points, Ionescu fiercely drove to the basket, and put up a buzzer beating layup.

SAB BEING LIKE THAT @sabrina_i20 pic.twitter.com/bsxrcgmGaG
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 16, 2023

Ionescu hit seven three-pointers, including back-to-back shots in the final quarter. The crowd exploded each and every time No. 20 hit a bucket. Several celebrities attended the event, including Billie Jean, King, Sue Bird, Malala Yousafzai, along with others. With less than 25 seconds remaining, Ionescu drilled her seven and final three, which sent fans into a frenzy, securing the 90-75 victory. Her seventh three-pointer broke the record for the three-point field goals made by a New York Liberty single player in the playoffs. The guard passed Vickie Johnson and Cappie Pondexter on the all-time list.

FINISH THEMMMM @sabrina_i20 pic.twitter.com/FyFIya7ClB
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 16, 2023

No. 20 wasn't happy with the referees

Scoring the final three points for the Liberty, the guard chimed in post-game. "Let me not get fined, " said Ionescu. "I would say some of those threes were for the refs."

In the last regular season matchup against the Washington Mystics, the New York liberty lost to a buzzer beater, which was scored by Brittney Sykes.

"Understanding what that felt like last game, losing on a buzzer at our home court and understanding what we had to do adjustment wise, to not allow that to happen and playoff basketball is different," Ionescu told reporters." "It's 0-0 for everyone and we had to take care of business and not let these opportunities pass by us when we do have home court advantage. "

The New York Liberty will take on the Washington Mystics for Game 2 on Sept 19. With one more Victory, the Liberty could move onto the semifinals.

The post New York Liberty defeat Washington Mystics, 90-75 in Game 1 of WNBA Playoffs appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

2023 WNBA Playoffs: Aces vs. Sky Betting Odds and Schedule

Sara Jane Gamelli — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 22:47:05 +0000

With the 2023 regular season complete, the WNBA playoffs will begin on Wednesday, September 13. Eight teams, four which represent the East and Western Conference, will compete for the WNBA Championship. The First-Round Playoff matchups will include the best of three games played. Followed by the first round are the semi-finals, and then the Finals. Here, you will find the WNBA betting odds, lines, matchups, and brackets for the WNBA First-Round playoffs between the Las Vegas Aces and the Chicago Sky.

Written and edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

The official bracket for the 2023 #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google

First Round begins Wednesday September 13th at 8pm/ET on ESPN2 #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/Jc90UfZUKt
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 10, 2023

WNBA Championship Title Odds

^{Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook}

2023 WNBA Playoffs: Aces vs. Sky Matchup

(1) Las Vegas Aces (34-6) vs. (8) Chicago Sky(17-22)

^{(Photo by Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images)}

Game 1: Sept. 13, Chicago at Las Vegas, 10 p.m. ET/ESPN

Game 2: Sept. 17, Chicago at Las Vegas, 3 p.m. ET/ABC

Game 3: Sept. 20, Las Vegas at Chicago, TBD/ESPN (If necessary)

Season Matchups

*Las Vegas won the series 3-0*

Game 1: Las Vegas 93, Chicago 80 (Las Vegas -13, Over 168)
Game 2: Las Vegas 107, Chicago 95 (Chicago +14.5, Over 168.5)
Game 3: Las Vegas 94, Chicago 87 ( Chicago +14.5, Over 171)

Injuries

Las Vegas Aces

Candace Parker, forward: OUT (foot)

Chicago Sky

Kahleah Copper, guard: Day-To-Day
Alanna Smith, forward: Day-to-Day
Rebekah Gardner, guard: OUT (Knee)
Isabelle Harrison, forward : OUT (Knee)

Series Preview

The Las Vegas Aces, led by head coach Becky Hammon, finished the season as the No.1 seed, and a franchise best 34-6 record. With one home loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, the Aces will have home court advantage for the first matchups against the Chicago Sky. After a historic season, Las Vegas finished the year with 30 wins, surpassing the 2014 Phoenix Mercury for the most regular season wins in WNBA History. Through 40 games, the Aces led the WNBA in offensive and defensive rating, net rating, assists to turnover ratio, field goal, three-point percentage, and points per game.

Season Matchups

In three matchups against the Sky, Vegas had a 32-point differential, and averaged 98 points a game. Becky Hammons squad shot close to 52 percent from the field in those three meetings. Vegas, who ranks 5th in the league in rebounds per game, dominated on the boards 102-94, which will be vital in this upcoming playoff series. Throughout the season, the Sky put up over 87 points a game, six points more than their season average. Although the Chicago Sky improved their gameplay since the All-Star game, the Aces covered the money line three times, and the Sky covered the spread in 66 percent of the games.

Preview of the Aces

Two 30-pieces and sellout to end the regular season @_ajawilson22: 36 PTS // 8 REB // 5 STL // 3 BLK // 13-18 FG@Kelseyplum10: 30 PTS // 3 AST // 2 STL // 63% FG // 6 3PM@cgray209: 21 PTS // 8 AST // 8-11 FG // 5 3PM#ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/psSIiTbTjK
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 10, 2023

A'ja Wilson, a 2x WNBA MVP, has been a continuous force of power. No. 22 finished the season with leads in several statistical categories. Wilson finished first in win shares, points per minute, field goals made, player efficiency rating, defensive win shares, defensive rating, and blocks. Led by a strong backcourt, the Aces run a three guard lineup, that consists of All-Stars Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray. The trio of guards averaged a combined 51.6 points, 15.6 assists, 3.8 steals, and 10.4 rebounds per game throughout the regular season. As a whole, Kelsey Plum, A'a Wilson, and Jackie Young finished top three in offensive rating in the WNBA. Guards Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray rank top 7 in three-point percentage. Their core four (Wilson, Plum, Young, and Gray) averaged 80 percent of the total offensive in three games.

Preview of the Sky

THAT'S how you wanna go into the postseason #skytown pic.twitter.com/QFNFVHfi1F
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) September 10, 2023

The Chicago Sky barely squeezed into the 8th and final playoff seed with a record of 18-22. Fresh off a three game win streak against Indiana, Minnesota, and Connecticut, Chicago will face a tough matchup on the road. The Sky, led by interim head coach and GM Emre Vatansever, will catch somewhat of a break with Candace Parker out for the Aces. Parker added 10 points, 5 steals, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds in game 1 against Chicago.

Led by Kahleah Copper, who recently signed a multi-year extension, and Marina Mabley, Chicago ranks 6th in offense, and 7th in defensive ratings. Since the All-Star break, the Sky moved up to 4th in total offensive efficiency. With the 5th best record since the break, Chicago leads the league in three-point percentage (38.6). In three meetings against Vegas, Mabrey and Copper combined for an average 40 points, and Elizabeth Williams with 37 points. Much like the Aces, Chicago runs a three-guard lineup consisting of Mabrey, Copper, and Courtney Williams. Their most recent win impressively came against the Connecticut Sun in overtime. The Sky finished the night shooting 52 percent from the three, and had four players with points in double figures.

The sixth Triple Double in franchise history belongs to none other than our no.1⃣0⃣

Court went CRAZY on 'em yesterday!#skytown pic.twitter.com/JYQvVCMV60
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) September 11, 2023

Guard Courtney Williams recently hit 3,000 career points. Williams 23 point, 16 rebounds, and 13 assists against the Connecticut Sun is one of six triple doubles in franchise history.

Prediction

As of right now, my predictions are for the straight money line series win. Although Chicago has vastly improved since the All-Star break, and kept things fairly close in their matchups with Vegas, I don't see them winning the series. With the first two games in Vegas, I cannot envision Chicago defeating the reigning WNBA 2022 Champions. Las Vegas only has one loss, excluding the Commissioner's Cup, against the Sparks. The Sky hage some heavy hitters on the offense, however, I will take the Aces overall in terms off offense, defense, and head coach.

Overall, the Aces are 21-19-0 ATS, and Chicago 22-16-2. Stay tuned for daily betting articles throughout the WNBA playoffs. If the Aces want to shut out Chicago, they must heavily rely on their core four, considering their bench ranks last in points per game (13.5). The Sky are 4th in the WNBA in bench points per game (19.5), who scored 32 points against Connecticut. Although inconsistent at times, Dana Evans will certainly be an x-factor for Chicago.

My prediction for the WNBA Playoffs First-Round: Las Vegas in two.

We have now linked up with Prize Picks! Use the code LIFE to get a first deposit match up to $100 dollars on Prize Picks. Click here to get started

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles. Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.

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Liberty dominate Sun with Breanna Stewart's double-double

Sara Jane Gamelli — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 17:18:41 +0000

The New York Liberty, defeated the Connecticut Sun 89-58 on Friday night in Brooklyn. In front of a sell out crowd of 8,276 fans, Breanna Stewart led the way with a double-double.

Written and edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

^{(Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

On Friday night, the New York Liberty matched up with the Connecticut Sun for the fourth and final time. With a 3-0 lead, Liberty Head Coach Sandy Brondello anticipated a highly competitive matchup, similarly to their 95-90 overtime win against the Sun in game 3. This was especially since Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu was ruled out ahead of the event.

"They're a great team. They had a lot of players returning. I think they've grown so much throughout the year, just like we all have," said Brondello. "They've always been tough on defense and very disruptive. I think the way they play, they're sharing the ball. [Alyssa Thomas] at the point forward position certainly helps them. We know they're going to be motivated, we want to keep our good rhythm going into the playoffs," Brondello told the media prior to the game.

Coach Brondello had the right mindset heading into this game in terms of the opposition. However, Fridays' matchup between the Connecticut Sun and New York Liberty couldn't have gone worse for Connecticut. For New York, star forward Breanna Stewart had 8 points by the end of the first quarter. With the absence of Brionna Jones for the Suns, Stewart took advantage of the mismatches, especially against Tiffany Hayes. Prior to the game, former MVP Jonquel Jones elaborated on the matchup against her former team, and their plan of attack.

The Liberty stellar defense shines

^{(Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

"Obviously Connecticut had a big loss with [Brionna Jones] going down, and I think they're a little bit smaller inside," Jones told reporters. Because of that, It's given us an advantage in that standpoint. As much as we dont want anyone to get hurt, we do have to take advantage of the mismatches and being able to control the boards."

Jones was right on the money pre-game, and the New York Liberty were able to do just that. She played exceptional defense on both Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner in the paint. Thomas and Bonner, the two anchors of the Sun, had a combined 17 points, 8 rebounds, on 5-16 field goal shooting. Even worse, Thomas acquired 3 fouls by halftime, and 4 by the end of the third quarter.

By the end of regulation, New York dominated on the boards, 40-27, along in the paint, 42-28. Brondello's squad held Connecticut to just 33 percent shooting from the field, and 30 percent from the three. Prior to this game, the Sun shot a remarkable 63.6 percent from downtown against Phoenix. Stephanie Whites squad only had two players that finished with points in double figures, Tiffany Hayes with 11, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa with 10 points.

You read that correctly, 11 points. The caliber of defense played by New York was so extraordinary, their leading scorer didn't break past 11 points scored. Since the All-Star break, the Liberty have the best win percentage in the league (.833), remain the top offensive team, and second defensively, behind Los Angeles. New York handed Connecticut their worst loss of the season, with a low of 58 points. In fact, it was their worst game against New York since September 2021.

Betnijah Laney is a key factor on both sides of the ball

BIG B #QueenBforDPOY pic.twitter.com/1z8j3Qsjcl
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 2, 2023

^{(Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

Liberty forward Betnijah Laney is certainly making her case for defensive player of the year. In 28 minutes, Laney finished with 19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and blocks. Although the box score doesn't always reflect the impact No. 44 has on this team, Laney continues to be a focal point on both sides of the ball. Without the presence of Sabrina Ionescu on the floor, we saw some different sides of Laney's game.

Along with some minutes at the point guard position, we saw several athletic spin moves, especially against Rebecca Allen and Tiffany Hayes. With a lineup of Marine Johannes, Stefanie Dolson, Kayla Thornton, and Breanna Stewart, Laney stunned the crowd with the ability to create her own shot. Towards the end of the first quarter, we saw No. 44 sink a step back, self created three point shot. The double coverage of Stewart, opened several looks for Laney beyond the perimeter. Although unable to finish some layups, the aggressiveness and hustle shown by Laney was encouraging.

Defensively, we saw Betnijah Laney play the lane effectively, and was a force against both Thomas and Bonner. The New York Liberty's highlight of the game included a come from behind block by Laney on Hatar, who is 6 foot 10. Post game, Coach Sandy Brondello reflects on her performance, especially her case for defensive player of the year. "She always gets the best player and does a great job of that" Brondello told reporters. She can score points too in a variety of ways. [Betnijah], we put her in spots to be aggressive, and then her just making great plays. She's great. She's a competitor, and keeps getting better and better."

Breanna Stewart is the MVP for the Liberty

When former MVP Breanna Stewart signed with the Liberty earlier this year, it was unclear how her statistics would change, especially with the level of talent and depth on the team. In her first season with New York, and 7th in the WNBA, the forward is having an MVP caliber season, which includes career-highs in points per game (22.8). There's one thing to know--many of her teammates consider Stewart the MVP of the team, and the focal part of the team's makeup. Prior to the matchup, Jonquel Jones emphasized the importance of Breanna Stewart, and the impact she has on the team.

"Her ability to score on different levels, defensively, being in the right places, and blocking shots," said Jones. "The thing that you guys don't see--is her commitment to the game, in the gym everyday. She's definitely been our leader, and our team wouldn't be in a position it's in today without her being able to do the thing's that [Breanna Stewart] has done." "Multiple 40 point games, she's our MVP, and I would love to see her win the MVP at the end of the season," Jones told the media.

Although Stewart finished with only 14 points, she strengthened her MVP case. In 26 minutes, No. 30 grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out 7 assists, had one steal, and shot 7-11 from the field. With the Sun doubling her, especially down low, it created space and opportunities for her teammates. Along with exceptional defense on Alyssa Thomas, Stewart made several mid range fadeaway shots, in addition to lay ins. With her high IQ on the floor and unselfish play, Stewart found several three-point looks to both Jonquel Jones and Betnijah Laney. Her 8 defensive rebounds helped the Liberty dominate in second chance points, as well as paint dominance.

The Liberty's bench dominates on the glass

^{(Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

Prior to the matchup with the Connecticut Sun, the New York Liberty ranked 10th in bench points, averaging 15.2 points per game. With New York's early lead over Connecticut, coach Brondello was able to rotate several players, and experiment with several different lineups. Defensive forward, Kayla Thornton, who was signed a multi-year extension with the Liberty, tallied 23 minutes, along with Stefanie Dolson, who finished with 18. Jocelyn Willoughby and Nyara Sabally were able to rotate in, especially with 4th quarter garbage time minutes. Center Han Xu, played over 5 minutes, in which the crowd erupted at the Barclays Center.

All members of the second unit were positive on the floor, and had a combined 17 rebounds. Center Stefanie Dolson was a great presence on defense in the paint, especially on Hatar. She was able to get to the free-throw lines, thanks to Alyssa Thomas, and sunk a no look three-point pass at the top of the perimeter. Thornton, a defensive specialist, had impressive minutes and matchup with DeWanna Bonner. Often times, Thornton forced Bonner to take missed shots, and had 6 total rebounds. With the bench providing 15 points as a whole, this is another example how the box score does not include the entire picture. The defensive contribution by all five bench players was eye opening, especially with the playoffs in sight.

The Liberty sweep the Connecticut Sun 4-0

In four games against the Connecticut Sun, the Liberty won all four matchups, and had nearly a 60 point differential across all of their meetings. Although the Connecticut Sun are the third best team in the league, the New York showcased why they are the superior team. Up over 4.5 games ahead of the Sun for the second seed, in 4 games, the Liberty outrebounded the Sun by 31, and shot close to 55 percent from the field last game. On Friday's matchup, the Liberty had four players with points in double-figures, including Marine Johannes, who received the starting nod in place of Ionescu.

With both teams locked in as playoff seeds, the Liberty will face the Chicago Sky Sunday, and the Connecticut Sun against the Sparks on Tuesday.

For more WNBA related articles, click here!

Sara Jane is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, Journalist, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

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WNBA Daily: Prop Bet Odds & Stats for August 31

Sara Jane Gamelli — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 22:58:57 +0000

Written & edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

There are three games on the WNBA Betting slate for Thursday, August 31. Earlier, I discussed the straight betting odds and statistics for all matchups. In this article, I will give my best predictions and analysis for today's daily prop bets. ?If you're Betting on the WNBA and interested in watching, all matchups will air on Amazon Prime Video. For the best WNBA betting prop odds, stats and analysis, here is some information to know.'

Our Thursday #wnba slate picks!

Sparks Moneyline (-290)
Washington +10.5 (-108)

Stay tuned for prop pickshttps://t.co/U8e2VeaF5i
— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) August 31, 2023

Ezi Magbegor O 7.5 Rebounds (-140)

This bucket by @ezimagbegor from last night is your @WAFDbank Taking it to the Bank Play of the Game! pic.twitter.com/Jhx29ju1kn
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 28, 2023

PPG:?14 | FG:?51.3 %?| 3 PT:?36.8 %?| FT:?67.3 %?| REB:?8.1?| AST:?2.3?|STL:?1.2?| BLK:?1.2

Seattle Storm Center, Ezi Magbegor is as consistent as they come. This prop has hit nearly 50 percent of the season, and Magbegor has over 7.5 rebounds in two matchups against Los Angeles. Following a playoff elimination, it can be risky when it comes to prop picks. However, Seattle plays a three-guard lineup with Horston, Loyd, and Whitcomb. Alongside Dulcy?Fankam Mendjiadeu, the Seattle center is averaging 8.1 rebounds this season, and has 27 total rebounds in the last two matchups.

Ezi Magbegor will face a Los Angeles Sparks team, who allow opponents to grab 35.1 rebounds, which is 9th worst in the WNBA. She will face Nneka Ogwumike and Azura Stevens, who lead the frontcourt for the Sparks.

Overall, the Seattle Storm rank 4th in rebounds per game (35) and will face a Sparks team that only averages 31.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 11th in the league. If you're betting on the WNBA, Los Angeles certainly has much more at stake with the playoffs on the line. Magbegor is coming off a 14, and 13 rebounding game, against the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever. In two games against LA, the center is averaging 32.5 minutes, and 9.5 rebounds per game. In addition, Ezi ranks 11th overall in the WNBA in total rebounds per game (8.1). Specifically, she ranks top 6th in defensive boards (6.5). If you're betting on the WNBA, I like Magbegor over 7.5 rebounds tonight vs. the Sparks.

Alyssa Thomas O 7.5 Assists (-128)

Alyssa Thomas was named the @AP_Sports WNBA Player of the Week.

Thomas averaged 20.3 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 8.0 apg and 2.7 spg as the Sun went 2-1 in regular season action last week. pic.twitter.com/B7DCghQZrO
— Connecticut Sun PR (@CTSunPR) August 29, 2023

PPG:?15.9?| FG:?47.2 %?| 3 PT:?0 %?| FT:?71.4 %?| REB:?9.9 | AST:?8.1?|STL:?1.9?| BLK:?0.5

Connecticut Sun star, Alyssa Thomas, is playing at an elite level, and is in the MVP talks. Thomas ranks second in the league in assists (8.1), and averages over 9.9 dimes a game. She is averaging 10 assists in the past two matchups and hit over 7.5 assists 7 of the last 10 games. Furthermore, the forward dished out 7.5 assists 60 percent in the last five games. She recently broke an WNBA record with her 24th double-double, and recently set a [Connecticut Sun] record, with 996 assists, as of July 19th (NBC Boston).

If you're betting on the WNBA, Thomas hit this prop 50 percent against the Phoenix Mercury this season, and averages exactly 7.5 assists against the Mercury. The forward is surrounded by talent in Connecticut, including DeWanna Bonner, Rebecca Allen, Tiffany Hayes, and Natisha Hiedeman. The Phoenix Sun will be without Cunningham, and possibly Diana Taurasi. With the Mercury out of playoff contention, they have one of the worst defensive ratings in the league (11th).

If you're betting on the WNBA, I like Alyssa Thomas O 7.5 assists tonight vs. the Mercury.

Elena Delle Donne O 14.5 PTS (-113)

.@De11eDonne @BrittBundlez #OurTimeOurLegacy pic.twitter.com/G7geM1QbkC
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) August 26, 2023

PPG:?17.2?| FG:?50 %?| 3 PT:?41.3 %?| FT:?96.8 %?| REB:?5.7?| AST:2.3 |STL:?0.8 | BLK:?0.8

Elena Delle Donne is back for her third straight game after an ankle injury and hip issue. Delle Donne is a vital part of the Mystics frontcourt and is averaging 17.2 points in 18 games played. The Mystics forward hit over 14.5 points 60 percent of the season, and six of the last ten games played.

In her first matchup back, Delle Donne scored 21 points, in 22 minutes, on 6-10 shooting against the Las Vegas Aces. Head coach of the Aces, Becky Hammon, stated that her starters are exhausted, and will utilize more of the bench. If you're betting on the WNBA, Delle Donne should have increasing minutes, along with a nice matchup against the second unit.

If you're betting on the WNBA, Delle Donne faces as Aces team who's dropped to fourth in defense rating in the month of August. If the forward gets increased minutes, along with shot volume, she has a great chance, especially against an Aces bench that averages a league low 10 points a game.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles.?Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics and is a sports journalist as well.

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Liberty defeat Aces, viewership spikes the most in five years.

Sara Jane Gamelli — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 01:59:06 +0000

On Monday August 28, the New York Liberty defeated the Las Vegas Aces 94-85 in front of a record-sellout crowd of 11,615. The brewing rivalry had a significant impact on viewership, making the matchup the most watched regular season game in five years.

Written & edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

^{(Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

A day before the Commissioner's Cup, Aces guard Chelsea Gray reiterated she didn't feel the Aces and the Liberty were rivals. "You, saying it's a rivalry now, we've only played each other, twice, and not in a playoff matchup, " Gray told reporters. "When you want to speak about rivalries, I think that it's longer stages for that."

Monday's game draws recent record viewership and attendance at the Barclays.

Since that statement, New York defeated Las Vegas in the WNBA Commissioner's Cup, and won the regular season series 3-2. On top of that, the Liberty and Aces remain two of the top seeded teams in the league. On Monday night, the two clubs matched up for the fifth and final encounter of the regular season. With Sandy Brondello's squad taking the victory, both sides performed in front of a record-sellout crowd of 11,615 at the Barclay's Center. According to ESPN, Monday's game was the "most-watched WNBA Regular Season game on ESPN2 in five years." With that said, the viewership peaked at roughly 357,000 viewers, and averaged around 328,000 (ESPN).

^{(Sara Jane Gamelli/BallisLife)}

Prior to tip off, Liberty star Breanna Stewart emphasized the importance of home games and fans. "I can't believe it's our third home game this month," Stewart told the media. "It will be nice to be back in front of our fans."

At the post-game press conference, Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu reflected on the record attendance, and how impactful the fans have been on the team. " They've [the fans] been everything all season long. To be with this team for the last couple of years, and be able to see the growth of the crowd every single year — it's just progressed in the right direction, " said Ionescu.

Sellout crowd at the Barclays

For the Liberty, it's their second game where they've had sellout crowds at home against the Aces. In their second meeting, the two teams played in front of a crowd of 11,418 fans in Brooklyn. The WNBA's growing popularity has contributed to increased attendance of games, along with viewership. According to the NBA, by the All-Star break, WNBA Merchandise sales have increased by 78 percent, and overall viewership is up 67 percent from 2022.

"For us to come into this game knowing we were going to have a sellout— it makes us want to play that much for them. When we go on those runs, the crowd erupts, the building's electric, and it just fires us up."

We love to see it https://t.co/zdl5Vh3KQD
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 30, 2023

Based off those numbers, it's intriguing if Gray would have a different perspective regarding the possible rivalry. Although these organizations haven't met in the playoffs, they have three elements in common; talent, the desire to win, and two exceptional coaches.

At 28-7, New York remains a game and a half back of Las Vegas for the No. 1 seed in the WNBA. The Liberty are loaded with talent and hold a league best .824-win percentage since the all-star break. Prior to the game, Becky Hammons squad [the Aces] were coming of a 78-62 loss against the Mystics, and a grueling road stretch. Even with the triumph, Las Vegas leads the league in net rating, and in both defensive and offensive ratings. Both New York and Vegas hold the best win percentages in the league and have two of the most prolific offenses. Over four head-to-head matchups, excluding the Commissioners Cup, New York has an overall point differential of +17.

A growing rivalry

^{(Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

Although both teams have never faced each other in the postseason, it certainly seems like a brewing matchup between both teams. Liberty guard, Sabrina Ionescu wasn't wrong about the electric crowd at the Barclays. Despite being down early on, New York went on a 20-8 run starting in the beginning quarter and commanded a 22-19 lead by the end of the first. Regardless of the Aces stellar defense comprised of a three-guard lineup, Ionescu broke down their defensive scheme. With a few driving layups, complimented by three-pointers, Sabrina showed no hesitation. In fact, with 8.9 seconds left to go in the first half, Ionescu utilized screen, and drained a long three in front of Stokes.

After the Aces loss to the Mystics, Hammon stated that "the Aces haven't found time to practice throughout their hectic schedule." (Danny Webster, Las Vegas Sun). Ionescu, well rested, assuredly took advantage of the oppositions demanding road schedule. Through the first quarter, the Oregon alum had 12 points, on 66.7 percent three-point shooting. By the end of regulation, Ionescu finished with 25 points, 2 rebound, 2 assists, and multiple steals. Although Breanna Stewart's shots weren't falling, and was held to 6 points, the Liberty prevailed in the first half. Jonquel Jones acquired three fouls by the second quarter and was limited to 18 total minutes. By halftime, New York commanded a 47-35 lead, in which they outscored Vegas, 25-16 in the second quarter.

For the Aces, All-Star had a tough matchup with Stewart, although she scored 15 points in the first half.

Things got heated and words were exchanged

^{(Sara Jane Gamelli/BallisLife)}

Sabrina Ionescu's success against the Aces didn't come without drama. Words were exchanged after a foul occurred, followed by a flagrant foul on Jonquel Jones. With Kayla Thornton thrown in the middle, Chelsey Gray, of the Aces, was visibly upset. The physical play of Chelsea Gray and Sabrina Ionescu did not go unnoticed. In fact, in multiple occasions, both expressed frustration on no foul calls.

By the end of the fourth quarter, the Aces went on a 10-2 run, in which Jackie Young finished with 24 points, and Chelsey Gray with 16. With the Liberty playing tight defense and switches on the perimeter, it opened several mid-range shots for A'ja Wilson, who finished with 23 points.

The Liberty outshined the Aces

Despite lack of production from Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart in the first half, the Liberty's defense shined, and Sandy Brondello relied on her depth. Followed by 17 points, Betnijah Laney played strong defense, especially on Chelsey Gray. Ultimately, New York beat them on the boards 43-31, and led with dominance in the paint. Overall, their forced turnovers turned into 17 fast break points for New York. By the end of regulation, New York finished the night shooting 30.3 percent from downtown, and 45.3 percent from the field.

As far as their control in the paint, Sabrina Ionescu commented on what adjustments she made to break down the opposition. "Now I'm just going in a lot more strongly, determined to get to the basket. Understanding if I can apply pressure and get into the paint, it opens up the floor for everyone."

For the Liberty, Laney, Stewart, Ionescu, and Vandersloot finished with points in double figures. Vandersloot finished with her 31st career game with 10 assists and 15 points, which is the most in history. For the floor general, No. 22 was able to find her teammates all night, in addition to several athletic lay ins.

Breanna Stewart is all about trusting the process

^{(Brandon Todd/New York Liberty)}

Although off to a slow start, Breanna Stewart found her trajectory in the second half. With 14 second half points, the Liberty star was absurd on the defensive end. Matched up with fellow MVP Candidate A'ja Wilson, Stewart had 3 steals and 2 blocks. With the early shots not plunging, Stewart adapted her game, and finished with 7 assists.

Post game, Stewart, 29, opened up about the importance of trusting the process when it comes to development and greatness.

"We make sure that every time we're together, we make sure that we continue to fulfill our potential and understand that and trust the process, " said Stewart. " I guess it's a corny line, but that's what we did — we trusted the process and we'll continue to do that, because everyone on this team has a role."

At the post-game press conference, coach Sandy Brondello stated why Stewart is so good, even when she's not scoring. "That's just a stature of who she is," said Brondello. "It's not all about scoring big— [Stewie] can do everything. Shes going against the best player on the other team. She's rotating, she's rebounding, she's running, creating for others," Brondello told the press. "I thought she played really poised and gives us so much because she demands so much attention- so it really does open for other people as well."

Playoffs approaching

With five games left in the regular season, the New York Liberty have a vigorous schedule against Connecticut, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Washington. With the Commissioner's Cup in hand, the Liberty fight for the No.1 Seed with Vegas. Even though another matchup against the Aces isn't promised, one concept is for certain, the New York Liberty want to bring their first championship to New York. If both teams win their respected divisions, this will be a battle until the end. With two of the most complete and talented teams in the league, the New York and Las Vegas rivalry has just begun.

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WNBA: Betting Odds, & Stats for August 4th

Sara Jane Gamelli — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 22:48:27 +0000

WNBA Daily Betting Odds, Stats, and Predictions for Friday, August 4th.

August 4, 2023

Written & edited by:

Sara Jane Gamelli

There are four games on the WNBA for Friday, August 4th. With the first game starting at 7 PM, and the last beginning at 8 PM EST, all games will be shown on ION. In this article, I will discuss the WNBA betting odds, stats, information, trends, and our best predictions. If you're interested in watching all games,?the WNBA League Pass is available.? If you are looking for the best WNBA betting odds, stats and analysis, here is some information to know.

WNBA Fridays on @iontv

Action starts at 7pm/ET with the @ConnecticutSun vs. the @IndianaFever and the @LASparks vs. the @WashMystics

Find where to watch at https://t.co/Pvg2lHv6E4 #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/5qlHSYZNSN
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 4, 2023

Daily WNBA Betting Odds

^{Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook}

Connecticut Sun -7.5 (-120)

On the road again. #ForgedByFire

Sun at Fever
7 PM ET
Gainbridge Fieldhouse
@iontv // @IONWNBA pic.twitter.com/iQfuaJEhsq
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 4, 2023

Connecticut Sun Betting Trends

Connecticut Sun: 4-1 in?their last?5 games.
7-3 in their last 10 games.
ATS Record:?14-11-0
O/U Record: 15-11-0
3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.
6-4 ATS?in their last?10 games.
O/U?is?2-3 in the last?5 games.
O/U 5-5?in the last?10 games.
4th?in Offensive Rating (103.5)
2nd?in Defensive Rating (97.3)
4th?in Points Per Game (83.8)
Opponent Points Per Game?78.5 (1st)
Connecticut ATS won last 10 games:? Seattle (-10.5), Washington (-4.5), Chicago (-5), Atlanta (-5, +1.5), Dallas (+3.5).

Indiana Fever Betting Trends

Indiana Fever: 1-4?in?their last?5 games.
2-10?in their last?10 games.
ATS Record:?12-12-2
O/U Record: 13-13-0
1-4 ATS?in their last?5 games.
4-6 ATS?in their last?10 games.
O/U?is?1-4 in the last?5 games.
O/U 4-6?in the last?10 games.
5th?in Offensive Rating (100.5)
12th?in Defensive Rating (105.9)
7th?in Points Per Game (80.3)
Opponent Points Per Game?85.1 (11th)
Indiana ATS won last 10 games:? Washington (+2.5), LA (-4.5).

Alyssa Thomas is the ONLY player in WNBA history with a triple-double in back-to-back games pic.twitter.com/8NCh2zj2gR
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 2, 2023

Head-to-head stats:?Sun vs. Fever

Season Matchups:
Game 1: Sun 70, Indiana 61 (Connecticut -7.5, Under 161.5).
Game 2: Sun 81, Indiana 78 (Indiana +12, Over 158.5)

The season spread is split 1-1
Connecticut is 2-0 vs. Indiana this season.
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups:?163
Sun average points vs. Fever last 10 games:?85
Fever average points vs Sun last 10 games:?77
Sun average points last 10 games:?84
Fever average points last 10 games:?77

Injuries

Connecticut Sun

Brionna Jones, Forward: OUT

Indiana Fever

Victoria Vivans, Guard: Day-To-Day
NaLyssa Smith, Foward: OUT (Foot)

Victoria Vivians (illness) available to play limited minutes Friday.
— Underdog WNBA (@Underdog__WNBA) August 4, 2023

Prediction

Connecticut is undefeated against the Indiana Fever in two games this season. The Sun covered the spread three out of their last ten games, and covered the -7.5 spread on May 19th against Indiana. Over the last ten games, Connecticut is averaging 84 points a game, and only allow 79 opponent points. In their win against Minnesota, forward Alyssa Thomas recorded her fifth triple-double, and ninth of her career. Thomas made history this week, along with Diana Taurasi. Thomas is the first professional women's basketball player to have 21 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists. The duo of DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas is arguably one of the best in the WNBA. Connecticut ranks second in defensive efficiency (97.3), and Indiana ranks last (105.9).

Fever guard, Victoria Vivians is available to play limited minutes tonight (Underdog WNBA). Averaging 5.9 points this season, Vivians has made headlines of late, scoring 11, 16, and 17 points in three straight games. Indiana typically plays small, with four guards, and Aliyah Boston at center. Connecticut is an exceptional defensive team, and Indiana will need all the offense they can get. The Fever stand at 7-19, and the Connecticut Sun at 19-7. When it comes to betting on this WNBA game, it's important to pay attention to team injuries.

Why the Suns will cover the spread

The Sun, led by Stephanie White, rank third in point differential (+5.3), and the Fever have a differential of -4.8. The difference between these two teams is record, and net rating. Connecticut's net rating is 6.1 (3rd), while Indiana's is -5.5 (9th). With NaLyssa Smith listed as out, and Vivans listed as questionable, the offense will false on Erica Wheeler and Aliyah Boston.

The Sun are hot, winning three straight games in July, and four out of their last five. They are first in the league in opponent three-point percentage (31.1), while Indiana is last (36.9 percent). Indiana covered the +12 spread last game, however, both matchups were in May, and the Fever had Smith. Indiana hasn't covered in three straight games, including the Mercury, and Storm, who are sub .500. Connecticut is 14-11-0 against the spread, this season. If you're looking to do some betting on the WNBA, I'm going with Connecticut -7.5 tonight.

Chicago Sky vs. Dallas Wings O 164.5 (-110)

We ready. pic.twitter.com/sKGg8VXgqP
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) July 31, 2023

Chicago Sky Betting Trends

Chicago Sky: 2-3 in?their last?5 games.
4-6?in their last?10 games.
ATS Record:?13-10-2
O/U Record: 11-14-0
3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.
5-5 ATS?in their last?10 games.
O/U is 2-3 in the last 5 games.
O/U is 5-5?in the last?10 games.
9th?in Offensive Rating (98.9)
9th?in Defensive Rating (103.5)
9th?in Points Per Game (79.2)
Opponent Points Per Game?82.6 (7th)
Sky OVER hits last ten games:?LA (O 155.5), Indiana (O 160.5), Seattle (O 158.5), Las Vegas (O 168), Phoenix (O 154.5)

Dallas Wings Betting Trends

Dallas Wings: 3-2 in?their last?5 games.
7-3 in their last 10 games.
ATS Record:?13-12-1
O/U Record: 12-14-0
3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.
5-5 ATS?in their last?10 games.
O/U?is?3-2 in the last?5 games.
O/U is 5-5?in the last?10 games.
3rd?in Offensive Rating (104.6)
4th in Defensive Rating (99.9)
3rd?in Points Per Game (85.8)
Opponent Points Per Game?81.9 (5th)
Wings OVER hits last ten games: Minnesota (O 167), New York (O 167.5), LA (O 165), Connecticut (O 168), Las Vegas (O 176).

Inspiring Women Weekend

7 PM
The Park
vs. @chicagosky
https://t.co/nv51EWQW01 pic.twitter.com/VCR4PX3T5I
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) August 4, 2023

Head-to-head stats:?Sky vs. Wings.

Season Matchups:
Game 1: Sky 94, Dallas 88 (Chicago -3, Over 161.5).

Chicago is 1-0 ATS vs. Dallas this season.
Sky are 1-0 vs. Wings this season.
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups:?167
Sky average points vs. Wings last 10 games:?88
Wings average points vs Sky last 10 games:?87
Chicago average points last 10 games:?82
Dallas average points last 10 games:?88

Injuries

Chicago Sky

Sika Kone, Forward: OUT
Rebekah Garnder, Guard: OUT (Knee)
Isabelle Harrison, Foward: OUT (Knee)

Dallas Wings

Lou Lopez Senechal, Guard: OUT (Knee)
Diamond DeShields, Guard: OUT (Knee)
Crystal Dangerfield, Guard: Day-To-Day
Awak Kuier, Forward: OUT (Ankle)

Prediction

If you're betting on the WNBA tonight, the Chicago Sky had one matchup against the Dallas Wings this season. On May 28th, the Sky defeated the Wings 94-88, in which the over hit, at 182 points. Chicago is coming off a 104-85 win against Phoenix and hit the over three out of the last four games. Dallas, fresh off a win over Seattle 76-85, and hit the over five of their last ten games.

Over the last ten games, Chicago is averaging 82 points, and Dallas, 88. In their first and only matchup, Natasha Howard, Satou Sabally, Arike Ogunbowale, and Crystal Dangerfield all had points in double figures. Dangerfield, listed as day-to-day, averages 7.8 points a game. For Chicago, Marina Mabrey led the way with 23 points, and Kahleah Copper, Courtney Williams, and Alanna Smith had points in double digits.

Dallas ranks third in pace (98.40), in which the Sky rank 10th (95.47). Over the last ten, the Sky averaged 167 total points, and the Wings, 168 total points per game. If you're betting on the WNBA, I am going with the over for this game.

Minnesota Lynx +9.5 (-110)

startin’ the weekend with Whay.

? https://t.co/MNZ1fHb9lm pic.twitter.com/ld1jRxVS5v
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) August 4, 2023

Minnesota Betting Trends

Minnesota Lynx: 3-2 in?their last?5 games.
5-5?in their last?10 games.
ATS Record:?15-11-0
O/U Record: 14-13-0
4-1 ATS?in their last?5 games.
5-4-1 ATS?in their last?10 games.
O/U?is?4-1 in the last?5 games.
O/U is 6-5?in the last?10 games.
8th?in Offensive Rating (99.4)
11th?in Defensive Rating (105.7)
8th?in Points Per Game (80.1)
Opponent Points Per Game?85.1 (10th)
Minnesota ATS won last 10 games:? Phoenix (-5), Washington (-3.5), New York (+13.5), Connecticut (+12.5, +11.5).

New York Betting Trends

New York Liberty: 4-1 in?their last?5 games.
8-2?in their last?10 games.
ATS Record:?10-16-0
O/U Record: 16-10-0
1-4 ATS?in their last?5 games.
2-8 ATS?in their last?10 games.
O/U is 2-3 in the last 5 games.
O/U is 6-4?in the last?10 games.
2nd?in Offensive Rating (107.6)
5th in Defensive Rating (100.7)
2nd in Points Per Game (85.8)
Opponent Points Per Game?82 (6th)
New York ATS won last 10 games:? Indiana (-13), Atlanta (-9)

When coach @SBrondello broke the POTW/POTM news to Stewie & the Libs BIG congrats again to @breannastewart pic.twitter.com/i8JEtgF2Lb
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 3, 2023

Head-to-head stats:?Lynx vs. Liberty

Season Matchups:
Game 1: Minnesota 88, New York 83 (Minnesota +14.5, Over hit)

Minnesota is 1-0 ATS vs. New York this season.
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups:?172
Lynx average points vs. Liberty last 10 games:?83
Liberty average points vs Lynx last 10 games: 76
Minnesota average points last 10 games:?80
New York average points last 10 games:?89

Injuries

Minnesota Lynx

Napheesa Collier, Forward: QUES
Dorka Juhasz, Forward: QUES
Rachel Banham, Guard: OUT (Right Thumb)
Natalie Achonwa, Forward: OUT (Maternity Leave)

New York Liberty

Stefanie Dolson, Center OUT: (Ankle)
Han Xu, Center: OUT

Prediction

The Minnesota Lynx have found a way to win, without their star player, Napheesa Collier. Minnesota covered in the spread in four straight games, against Connecticut, twice, New York, and Washington. Out of those four games, the Lynx covered +11.5-, +12.5-, and +13.5-point spreads, against two very good teams, the Sun and Liberty. Forward Napheesa Collier and Dorka Juhasz are questionable for tonight's game. Over the last ten games, Minnesota is averaging 83 points a game, led by Juhasz, Kayla McBride, Jessica Shepard, and Diamond Miller. The Lynx had two upsets on the road, against New York and Connecticut.

New York is an elite team at 20-6. They've struggled with large leads and lost three straight games against the spread. The Liberty, led by Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones, covered in just two of their last ten games. New York will be on the road and will face a Lynx team who is 15-11-1 against the spread this season. If Collier is available to play, along with Juhasz, I love this pick. If you are betting on the WNBA, New York can't be trusted with the spread right now.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles.?Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

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Diana Taurasi hits 10,000 career points

Sara Jane Gamelli — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 16:31:22 +0000

Phoenix Mercury star, Diana Taurasi is the first player in the history of womens basketball to score 10,000 points in Phoenix's win over Atlanta

August 4, 2023

Written & edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

Notoriously known for her hair in a tight bun, Diana Taurasi started her collegiate career with the Connecticut Huskies. The six-foot guard was selected first overall, in the 2004 WNBA draft, selected by the Phoenix Mercury. Since then, Diana Taurasi is a three-time WNBA Champion, two-time WNBA Finals MVP, former MVP (2009), and much more. Taurasi, 41, is in her nineteenth season in the WNBA, all with the same organization. The guard is the all-time WNBA scoring leader, almost 2500 points ahead of Tina Thompson. Last night, Diana Taurasi became first WNBA player ever to ever 10,000 points in history. The Pheonix Mercury defeated the Atlanta Dream 91-71.

Diana Taurasi tonight:

First WNBA player with 10K PTS
Career-high 42 PTS in regulation
First 40-point game since 2010
Oldest player in WNBA history to drop 40 pic.twitter.com/FnoeQAMyFF
— ESPN (@espn) August 4, 2023

Odds: How Diana Taurasi scored her 10,000th basket

^{All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.}

Diania Taurasi has a career night

A historic moment

Taking a look at every bucket that got @DianaTaurasi to 10k career points!#MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/eHd1JdBgCX
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 4, 2023

Diana Taurasi made WNBA history last night, and hit 10,000 points, something no woman has done in the history of professional basketball. The odds were favored for a three-point field goal, which is exactly what happened. With 9,997 points down, and 8:23 left in the third quarter, Taurasi hit a three-pointer on an off-ball screen, set by teammate, Brianna Turner.

The WNBA legend had a night to remember. Taurasi had her first 40 plus point game since 2010, and finished with a season-high 42 points, on 6-13 three-point, and 12-21 field goal shooting. The Guard also made it to the line twelve times, in which she shot 100 percent. Taurasi, a career 36.4 percent three-point shooter, hit 46 percent from downtown last night.

On Thursday night, the UConn and Mercury star had her fourth 40-point game, in which she was the oldest to do so in history (41 years old). Post game, Taurasi was greeted with gifts, and a video tribute, from past coaches, teammates, friends, and family.

Diana Taurasi became an all-time UConn great.

On this day in 2003:

Diana Taurasi put on a performance during UConn's 63-62 overtime win against Tennessee pic.twitter.com/ekjvqUzDQf
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) January 4, 2023

A California native, Taurasi came to the University Connecticut to play under Head Coach Geno Auriemma. In all three seasons, the point guard led the Huskies to three straight national championships, from 2001-2004, in which she was the two-time NCAA most outstanding player. In her UConn tenure, Taurasi averaged 16.5 points, 1.2 steals, 4.9 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 111 career games. The college basketball star was a 39 percent three-point, and 45.6 field goal shooter. Her overall record under Coach Auriemma was 139-8. Diana Taurasi was one of the greatest players to ever play for the University of Connecticut, and became the first UConn player to score 2,000 points, along with other career accolades.

The Phoenix Mercury selects Diana Taurasi first overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft

The UConn star was selected first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2004. The WNBA inaugural season was in 1997, and Taurasi was an WNBA pioneer, and changed the league for the better. She went on to win the rookie of the year award, in 2004.

In her career, all with the Mercury, Taurasi was a leader, WNBA Champion, ten-time WNBA all-star, and a member of the 15th, 20th, and 25th anniversary teams.

Outside of the WNBA, the Mercury star is a five-time Olympic gold medalist and has several accolades in her time with Russia and Turkey overseas.

Taurasi on her career night

Before she hit the milestone, Taurasi sat down with ESPN, and talked about her love for the game of basketball, and why she's played past the age of forty.

"I didn't intend to play this long, for any title, for any type of prestige or honor. I just played because I'm a kid who loves basketball," said Taurasi.

No. 3 talked about the shot that sealed history. "But I'm kind of happy it happened with a 3. I'm happy that someone set a screen. I'm happy that someone passed me the ball. That's how basketball is played, with everyone having a little part, and it's perfect." (ESPNS Josh Weinfuss).

Now, with 10,024 total career points, Diana Taurasi is under contract with the Phoenix Mercury, for at least two more seasons. The UConn and Mercury legend is a women's basketball trailblazer and paved the way for the next generation. Is it a coincidence that number three hit a three-pointer to score 10,000 points? Maybe so. Diana Taurasi is one of the all-time WNBA greats, and one of the best to ever play the game of women's basketball.

Stay tuned for more WNBA related articles.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, New York Liberty, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

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Dallas Wings vs. Seattle Storm: Betting Odds

Sara Jane Gamelli — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 20:54:01 +0000

The Dallas Wings vs Seattle Storm game is tonight. Here, you will find the WNBA betting odds, stats, and predictions for Wednesday, August 2nd.

August 2, 2023

Written & edited by:

Sara Jane Gamelli

There is one game on the WNBA Slate tonight, the Dallas Wings (14-11, 5-8 Away) vs. Seattle Storm (6-19, 2-11 Home). The series between these two teams are split 1-1, in which the Storm defeated the Wings, 109-103, on June 17th. Dallas is a -6.5 favorite on the road, and the total is currently at 167.5 points. In this article, I will break down the WNBA Betting odds, stats, trends, and predictions. The matchup will begin at 10:30 PM EST, at Climate Pledge Arena, located in Seattle, Washington. If you're looking to watch and bet on the game, it will air on CBSSN. If you are looking for the best betting odds, stats and analysis, here is information to know.

The league leader in scoring, @jewellloyd and the 4th leading scorer in the WNBA, @Arike_O are set to go at it yet again

Tune in tonight at 10:30pm/ET on @CBSSportsNet as the @DallasWings take on the @seattlestorm #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/y4OA7hUJB0
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 2, 2023

WNBA Betting: Dallas Wings vs. Seattle Storm Odds

^{Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook}

Dallas Wings Betting Trends

Dallas Wings: 3-2?in?their last?5 games.
7-3?in their last?10 games.
ATS Record:?12-12-1
O/U Record: 12-13-0
3-2 ATS?in their last?5 games.
7-3 ATS?in their last?10 games.
O/U is?4-1 in the last?5 games.
O/U is?5-5?in the last?10 games.
3rd in Offensive Rating (105.2)
5th?in Defensive Rating (100.8)
3rd in Points Per Game (86.2)
Opponent Points Per Game?82.6 (6th)
Dallas ATS won last 10 games:? Washington (-6.5), Las Vegas (+12, +9.5), Minnesota (-2.5), New York (+7.5), Los Angeles (-8), Washington (-9).

Seattle Storm Betting Trends

Seattle Storm: 4-1?in?their last?5 games.
2-10?in their last?10 games.
ATS Record:?14-10-1
O/U Record: 12-13-0
4-1 ATS?in their last?5 games.
6-4 ATS?in their last?10 games.
O/U is?0-3 in the last?5 games.
O/U is?3-10 in the last?10 games.
11th in Offensive Rating (96.5)
9th in Defensive Rating (103.8)
10th in Points Per Game (78.7)
Opponent Points Per Game 84.7 (9th)
Seattle ATS won last 10 games:? New York (+15.5), Atlanta (+14.5), Las Vegas (+16.5), Chicago (+4.5), Indiana (+4).

Jewell Loyd dropped 39 points vs the Wings, the 2nd-most in a game in Storm franchise history.

Loyd has 229 points through her first 9 games this season, that's the most through the first 10 team games in Storm history. pic.twitter.com/t3qzIY2nhQ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 17, 2023

Head-to-head stats: Wings vs. Storm

Season Matchups:
Game 1: Wings 95, Storm 91 (Seattle +4.5, Over 160.5 points (186)
Game 2: Storm 109, Wings 103 (Seattle +8.5, Over 164.5 points (212)

Seattle is 2-0 ATS vs. Wings
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups:?170
Wings average points vs. Storm last 10 games:?82
Storm average points vs Wings last 10 games:?88
Wings average points last 10 games:?90
Storm average points last 10 games:?76

Injuries

Dallas Wings

Lou Lopez Senechal, Guard: OUT (Knee)
Diamond DeShields, Guard: OUT (Knee)

Seattle Storm

None

Dallas Wings: -6.5 (-114)

Wings center Teaira McCowan has made quite an impact during the @DallasWings' hot streak. #VoltUp pic.twitter.com/ny9UBzkk02
— Bally Sports (@BallySports) August 1, 2023

The Dallas Wings have the fourth best overall record in the WNBA and had a five-game win streak in the month of July. Dallas is averaging over 90 points the last ten games, and rank third in points per game and offensive rating. The Wings are first in the league in rebounds per game (39.9), and the Seattle Storm allow a league high 36.2 rebounds per game.

The series matchup between the Dallas Wings and the Seattle storm is split, 1-1. The Storm covered both games, including a +4.5-, and +8.5-point spread. In Seattle's win against Dallas, on June 17th, Storm guard Jewell Loyd had 39 points, which is second most in the history of the franchise.

The Dallas Wings, one of the hottest teams in July, recently got Teaira McCowan back from Euro ball. McCowan was not present for the first two games, and is averaging 12.9 points and 9.3 rebounds in 15 games. The Wings Center averages 1.2 blocks and is shooting 57 percent from the field this year.

Dallas is 3-2 in their last five, and 7-3 in their last ten games. This squad, led by Head Coach Latricia Tramell, has impressive wins this month over New York, and Las Vegas. Their largest marginal win came over the Washington Mystics, 90-62. The Seattle Storm went on a ten-game skid, however recently won two games in a row.

Dallas Wings Money Line (-300)

Seattle is playing well, recently taking a game against the Liberty, and kept up with Dallas the first two games. The Wings will have the addition of McCowan, which gives them more defense, and size. Seattle is only averaging 76 points compared to the Wings 90 the past ten games. Dallas was the second-best team in July and has the third best offense in the league.

These two teams haven't matched up since June 17th, and Dallas is top five in defensive rating. They play big, will be a force in the paint, and mostly likely will make Seattle work for points. Being one of the best teams in the paint, Dallas will have a starting lineup of McCowan, Satou Sabally, and Natasha Howard, who are all six foot two and up. With the way the Dallas Wings have played as of recent, I expect them to take this game outright, over the Seattle Storm.

Arike Ogunbowale O 20.5 PTS (-113)

Rike doin’ her lil dancey dance #VoltUp pic.twitter.com/sN9Ay7jnlX
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) July 30, 2023

Dallas Wings Guard, Arike Ogunbowale is averaging 21.6 points in 25 games this season. Ogunbowale hit over 20.5 points in three straight games in July, and in five total games. Arike put up 41 points against the Seattle Storm on June 17th, and 26 points in their first matchup, on May 26th.

In her fifth season with Dallas, the guard is averaging a career-high in minutes (37.3), and field goal attempts. Arike is playing high volume minutes, including 40 against the Aces, on Sunday, and averages 18.3 field goal attempts per game.

The Seattle Storm rank 9th in defensive efficiency and allow opponents to score 84.7 points per game. The Storm rank last in opponent field goal percentage (45.8). Noell Quinns squad ranks 11th in opponent points in the paint (38.8).

Since the All-Star break, Ogunbowale hit this prop three times, against both Connecticut and New York.

Natasha Howard O 7.5 REB (-130)

FLSH@nhoward1033 | #VoltUp pic.twitter.com/rB1CRWhRB0
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) July 30, 2023

Natasha Howard, Dallas Wings forward, is averaging 8.3 rebounds in 25 games this season. Standing at six foot two, the forward hit over 7.5 rebounds in two straight games, and seven games in July. Even with the addition of McCowan, Howard has been a defensive force in the paint for the Dallas Wings.

In two games against Seattle this year, Howard grabbed 10 and 9 boards. In July Howard notably had 14 rebounds against Minnesota, 11 and 13 against Las Vegas. Dallas is the best rebounding team in the league at 39.9 per game and allow the least per game (32). The Seattle Storm rank 7th in rebounding (33.9) and allow a league high 36.2 boards per game.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles. Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, New York Liberty, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

Keep up with us on Social Media!

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New York Liberty Sweep the Los Angeles Sparks

Sara Jane Gamelli — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 17:22:04 +0000

New York Liberty roll past the Los Angeles Sparks in back-to-back road games, 76-69. Breanna Stewart finished with another double-double, and Courtney Vandersloot finished with a season-high 23 points.

August 2, 2023

Written & edited by:

Sara Jane Gamelli

^{(Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)}

The New York Liberty, 20-6, finished up their two-game miniseries against the Los Angeles Sparks. New York matched up against Los Angeles twice, in three days, and will finish up their series on the road, Friday, against Minnesota. Liberty Guard, Courtney Vandersloot scored a season-high 23 points, and Breanna Stewart finished with her 13th double-double of the season (16 points, 12 rebounds). Liberty Head Coach, Sandy Brondello got her 200th career win.

GOOD ROAD DUB IN LA#SEAFOAMSZN | #LIGHTITUPNYL pic.twitter.com/SbfHN69yBq
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 2, 2023

New York Liberty Pre-Game Interviews and comments

Liberty Head Coach, Sandy Brondello, gave some pregame insight about the presence of Sparks star, Nneka Ogwumike, and New York's plan of attack, following last game.

"You kind of know what were areas that you didn't do well," said Brondello. I think that makes it kind of easier, but now it's about who makes the most adjustments, and you can execute and exploit what the other team is doing."

That is exactly what the New York Liberty did, at least in the fourth quarter. The Sparks outscored the Liberty 34- 32 in the first half, and 54-50 through the first three quarters. New York did exactly what Sandy Brondello talked about pregame, they executed and exploited when it mattered. All-Star Courtney Vandersloot got caught up in setting a high screen earlier in the game. However, that didn't affect her performance down the stretch. Vandersloot had 14 out of her 23 points in the final quarter and exploited the defense with wide open shots. The Liberty guard was able to utilize screens to find the open lane, in which she had multiple lay ins. The Liberty were able to capitalize off the double teams on guard, Sabrina Ionescu.

With 3:16 left to go in the fourth, Vandersloot was found wide open on the perimeter, thanks to the Sparks high pressure on Stewart and Ionescu, and Laney's crucial screen. With 1:08 to go, New York was able to capitalize on second chance points, and with the perimeter guarded heavily, Vandersloot once again found the wide-open lane. From there, New York was able to finish on free-throws, with Los Angels in the bonus.

New York Liberty Post- Game Interviews and Comments

Liberty Guard, Courtney Vandersloot talks about her fourth quarter success.

Sloooooot @Sloot22 has come up CLUTCH in the second half, giving the @nyliberty the 4 PT nod

@NBATV pic.twitter.com/HTQ9oeTFDp
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 2, 2023

Courtney Vandersloot gave some insight their thoughts on their hard-fought win over the Sparks. Vandersloot mentioned how she was able to have success, and exploit the Sparks defense, especially in the second half.

" Well, you know, they were putting two on the ball, and Sabrina, when she was coming off ball screens—they were trapping her, and you know, she's getting the ball out, and then my teammates were finding me—I was just open for our shot— Catch and shoot was the reason I was able to knock em down in."

New York Liberty Head Coach Sandy Brondello spoke on the importance of Courney Vandersloot, and the impact of her injury early on in the game.

Szn-high 20 PTS for the General @Sloot22 pic.twitter.com/B2fvkFca0f
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 2, 2023

In 31 minutes played, All-Star Courtney Vandersloot scored 23 points, 14 in the fourth, on 9-14 and 4-5 three-point shooting. The Guard had one steal, a block, six assists, and seven rebounds. Coach Brondello opened up about the guard, and how much of a factor she was in the win. Vandersloot Shot 80 percent from the three, and 64 percent from the field.

"I think Sloot got pissed off she got injured, said Brondello. You focus a little bit more when you get a little banged up. But you know, we don't win this game without her tonight. We were just trying to put the ball in her hand, and that's what she does. She's so creative, but I wanted her to be a scorer. I keep saying she's got to keep shooting it when she's open, because we believe in her, and she had no hesitation tonight, which was great. We obviously increased some of her minutes tonight, and we needed every bit of that 31 that she played."

All-Star Breanna Stewart talked about her team's defense, and what adjustments that were made in the final quarter.

Breanna Stewart filled up the box score vs. the Sparks @nyliberty

16 PTS
12 REB
4 AST
4 STL
3 BLK pic.twitter.com/XYxB9b4eOD
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) August 2, 2023

New York Liberty Forward, Breanna Stewart finished with a double-double, 16 points and 12 rebounds.

"I think we just continued to talk through things. A lot of things were happening pretty fast and making sure that we were communicating— having one another's back, and doing what needed to be done," said Stewart.

The Liberty held the Sparks to just 15 points in the fourth quarter on 3-15 shooting.

"We needed to get a few extra stops because I think I think we started the fourth quarter down by four, or whatever the case was—So we were just doing that, and making sure we rebounded and got a good shot," said Stewart.

Overall, the New York Liberty didn't have their best shooting night. They rank second in three-point percentage (37.4), and first in three-point attempts per game (29.1). In last night's matchup against the Sparks, New York was held to 24.2 percent three-point, and 42 percent field goal shooting. New York was able to keep things close, and ultimately closed it out in the fourth.

New York Liberty remaining Schedule

The New York liberty finish up their three-game road trip at Minnesota, on Friday night. They have fourteen games remaining, four of which are against the top team, Las Vegas Aces. The Liberty are currently 20-6, and stand in first place, in the Eastern Conference.

You can find their next matchup on ION, Friday, August 4th, at 8 PM EST.

Liberty Head Coach, Sandy Brondello moves up in the WNBA Coach rankings.

Congratulations to Head Coach Sandy Brondello, who got her 200th career win, which is 9th on the All-Time WNBA coach rankings.

Lastnights W marked 200 career wins for Coach @SBrondello pic.twitter.com/6euLmjbu7q
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 2, 2023

For more WNBA related articles, click here!

Sara Jane is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, Journalist, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

Keep up with us on Social Media!

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WNBA Daily: Betting Odds, Stats & Predictions

Sara Jane Gamelli — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 20:57:04 +0000

WNBA betting Odds, trends, stats, and predictions for Tuesday, August 1st.

Written and edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

There are four games on the WNBA slate for Tuesday, August 1st. The first matchup begins at 7 PM EST, and the last starting at 10 PM EST. In today's article, I will discuss the odds, stats, betting trends, prop bets, and our best prediction. All games will air on ESPN, ESPN3, or NBA TV. If you're interested in watching all games, the WNBA League Pass is available. If you are looking for the best WNBA betting odds, stats and analysis, here is some information to know.

We got a 4-game slate for your watch list today

7pm/ET @minnesotalynx vs. @ConnecticutSun on @espn and @PhoenixMercury vs. @IndianaFever on ESPN3

10pm/ET @AtlantaDream vs. @LVAces on League Pass and @nyliberty vs. @LASparks on @NBATV #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/0BDnn8H4LX
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 1, 2023

WNBA Daily Betting Odds

^{Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook}

Minnesota Lynx Vs. connecticut sun o 162.5 (-110)

LYNX WIN!!!

LYNX WIN!!!

LYNX WIN!!!#CantTameUs pic.twitter.com/jzc6gU0XWG
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 30, 2023

Minnesota had the upset over Connecticut, 87-83

The Minnesota Lynx (13-13, 7-5 Away) will play their second straight game versus the Connecticut Sun (18-7, 8-4) on the road. In their Sunday matchup, Minnesota defeated Connecticut, 87-83, in which the Lynx covered the spread, and the over hit. The Sun were held to 17.6 percent three-point shooting, and 38.9 percent from the field. DeWanna Boner, a season 34 percent three-point shooter, struggled from downtown (2-8). Connecticut, a season 35.6 percent three-point team, has to shoot the ball more efficient in tonight's matchup. Sun forward, Alyssa Thomas had a triple double, 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. Connecticut will need some help from starter Tiffany Hayes.

As for the Lynx, Minnesota shot 57 percent from the field, in which McBride led the way with 19 points (7-10). With Napheesa out of the lineup due to injury, rookie Dorka Juhasz stepped up, with 11 points, and 6 rebounds. Juhasz was a force on the defensive end, adding a key block and steal. Guard Lindsay Allen scored 16 points and had 2 crucial steals in 32 minutes played.

Back at it. #ForgedByFire

Sun vs Lynx
7 PM ET
Mohegan Sun Arena
@espn pic.twitter.com/6FlEJuOYXf
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 1, 2023

Connecticut vs. Minnesota over/under trends

Connecticut is 14-12-0 (Over/Under), and Minnesota 15-10. The Lynx hit the over in four straight games, and in seven out of their last ten. The Sun hit the over in two straight games, and six out of their last ten games. The over/under is 2-1 between these two teams. In the last matchup, the over hit at 170, and that includes Connecticut shooting poorly. In the first matchup, Connecticut defeated Minnesota, 89-64 in which the over hit, at 173.

Cheryl Reeves squad is playing very well as of late, with two crucial wins over the Connecticut Sun and the New York Liberty. Both the overs hit against those two teams. If you're looking to do some betting on the WNBA, the Connecticut Sun will look for revenge over last game. Give me the over for this game.

New York Liberty 1st Half Spread -5.5 (-102)

The New York Liberty (19-6, 9-2 away) will take on the Los Angeles Sparks (9-16, 7-7 Home) for their second straight time on the road. In Sunday's matchup, the Liberty defeated the Sparks, 87-79, in which they led 51-35 at the half (-16 point differential). New York played stellar in the first quarter, and limited Los Angeles to 11 first quarter points.

In the last five games, New York had a 57- 42 (15 point differential) lead against Atlanta at the half. Though New York had a comeback win against Seattle, the Liberty commanded a 68-46 lead against the Indiana Fever at the half.

At the half. pic.twitter.com/nplloYGLMG
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) July 30, 2023

Why the Liberty will cover the first half spread.

I am reluctant to pick New York for the full spread, due to the fact the Liberty covered the spread only twice in the last ten games. The Sparks gained steam and cut the deficit to seven points last game. Overall, the Sparks rank 11th in points per game (78.5), and rebounds per game (31.6). Marine Johannes found her stride, hitting 5-7 three-pointers, and Jonquel Jones had another double-double (13 points, 13 rebounds). Breanna Stewart led the way with 25 points and 3 blocks, and Ionescu with 14 points, 1 steal, block, and 6 rebounds.

The Liberty are playing their second straight game against the sparks and coming off minimal rest. These two teams are far apart numbers and talent wise. Give me Liberty to cover -5.5 at the half.

Jonquel Jones O 9.5 Rebounds (-113)

3⃣5⃣ with another double-double pic.twitter.com/EAzIILjEhK
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) July 31, 2023

Why Jonquel Jones will hit over 9.5 rebounds tonight.

If you're betting on the WNBA, Jonquel Jones over rebounds has been my favorite play for the past couple of weeks. Jones, 29, is coming off a double-double (13 points and rebounds) and has double-digit rebounds in six straight games. The Liberty forward had four straight double-doubles in the month of July, and hit over 9.5 rebounds in six straight games, and 7/11 games in July.

The Los Angeles Sparks have All-Star Nneka Ogwumike, who averages 9.1 rebounds this season. In her last matchup against New York, Ogwumike was held to 5 rebounds. As a team, New York outrebounded Los Angeles, 26-17, and the Sparks rank 11th in rebounds per game (31.6).

If you're betting on the WNBA, I like Jonquel Jones over 9.5 rebounds. The line has been consistently over 7.5, however, she has hit this prop several games in a row. The Sparks allow opponents to grab 35.8 boards a game, which is 9th in the WNBA.

Aliyah Boston O 7.5 Rebounds (+100)

Why Aliyah Boston will hit over 7.5 rebounds tonight.

Fever Rookie Aliyah Boston is a candidate for the WNBA rookie of the year. If you're betting on the WNBA, Boston is averaging 7.8 rebounds a game. The Indiana Fever (6-19, 1-8 Home) will matchup against the Phoenix Mercury (6-18, 1-12 Away) at home tonight. The Mercury will be without their all-start Brittney Briner, as she stepped away to take care of her mental health. Griner, 32 averaged 6.7 rebounds a game, and had 6 rebounds against Indiana.

The Mercury are 2-0 against the Indiana Fever this season. Boston had 7 and 9 rebounds in the first two matchups. With or without Griner, Phoenix ranks last in the WNBA in rebounds per game (30.7), and the Indiana Fever average 34.5 boards per game (6th). Indiana is second in the league in opponent rebounds per game (32.5.).

If you're betting on the WNBA, the odds are not in favor for Aliyah Boston to snag over 7.5 rebounds (+100). With Griner out, and Boston's stats against the Mercury, I like the over here.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles. Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

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The post WNBA Daily: Betting Odds, Stats & Predictions appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Kingdom Summer League?Week 6 Recap

Sara Jane Gamelli — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 18:05:53 +0000

Kingdom Summer Week 6 Scores, Analysis and Review.

August 1, 2023

Written By: Victor Dandridge
Edited By: Sara Jane Gamelli

McGlade Max Pro 93, Bexley Car Care 86

The Score between McGlade Max Pro and Bexley Car Care was tied at 17 by the end of the first quarter. Max Pro commanded a 43-33 lead over Car Care at halftime, and Bexley cut the deficit to six points by the end of the third. The lead was trimmed to three points, however, Bexley committed crucial consecutive turnovers, which resulted in McGlade Max Pro winning the game. Scott Thomas led McGlade with 20 points, while Brett McKnight and Aaron Craft scored 16 points each. Kenneth J. Council led Max Pro with 20 points.

Player of the Game: Scott Thomas

4DEEP 112, Buckeye Prep 90

4DEEP finished the season undefeated. They defeated Buckeye Prep by 22 points, in which CJ Penha and Trey Burke led 4DEEP with 31 points each. Dibaji Walker, returned from an injury last week, and contributed 24 points. In his season debut, Andy Bosley scored 24 points, and Lamine Komara scored 20.

Players of the Game: CJ Penha, Trey Burke

Hype 614 99, Committed to my Craft 94

The Tate brothers, (Jalen 30 pts and Jae’ Sean 24 pts) led Hype 614 in an exciting and competitive win over Committed to my Craft. Fresh of a four-game win streak, Committed to my Craft couldn't extend the streak. The Big Ten conference was well represented in this matchup and led by the Trice brothers (Travis and D’Mitrik). Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin had alumni players in this game as well. Hype 614 was able to capture the last playoff spot in the Kingdom 2023 playoffs. D’Mitrik Trice led Craft with 30 points.

Player of the Game: Jalen Tate

Future: 98, Reitano SportsCenter: 97

Dennis led the Future to their second win of the season, with 25 points. Future defeated Reitano SportsCenter and closed the door on their playoff hopes. In the only overtime game of the season, Future was able to get the win, despite Paul McMillan IV's 26-point performance.

Player of the Game: Dennis Asoro

Kingdom Summer League

* 4DEEP: 6-0
* Committed to my Craft: 4-2
* McGlade Max Pro: 4-2
* Hype 614: 3-3
Future: 2-4
Reitano SportsCenter: 2-4
Bexley Car Care: 2-4
Buckeye Prep: 1-5

^{*Playoff team}

The post Kingdom Summer League?Week 6 Recap appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

WNBA Betting: Future Championship Betting Odds

Sara Jane Gamelli — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 22:04:00 +0000

The WNBA is halfway through the season, and tonight, we will take a look at the future betting odds for the WNBA Championship.

July 31, 2023

Written & edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

2023 WNBA Championship Betting Odds

The WNBA All-Star break has come and gone, as we enter the second half of the WNBA Season. The 2022 reigning champs, the Las Vegas Aces, are currently the favorites to with the 2023 WNBA Title at -310. The New York Liberty have the next best odds at +270, and interestingly enough, the Connecticut Sun, tied for the second-best record, have +3000 odds to win it all. In this article, I will break down the top four teams, and a few dark horse organizations that could win the championship. If you are looking for the best betting odds, stats and analysis, here is some information to know.

^{Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook}

Las Vegas Aces (-310)

The Las Vegas Aces are the ???????? ???????? ?????????????????? #RaiseTheStakes pic.twitter.com/KaV2cijHYf
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 18, 2022

Record: 23-2, 12-0 Home, 11-2 Away
PPG: 94.1 (1st)
Net Rating: 19 (1st)
Offensive Rating: 114.8 (1st)
Defensive Rating: 95.8 (1st)
RPG: 35 (4th)
3 PT %: 37.6 (2nd)
FG %: 50.3 (1st)
STL: 8 (2nd)
BLK: 5.2 (T-1st)
FT %: 81.8 (3rd)
OPP PPG: 78.7 (2nd)
Remaining Schedule:
Home: Atlanta, Washington, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Seattle, Phoenix.
Away: New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, New York, Phoenix.

^{(Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)}

The second half of the 2023 WNBA is in full swing, and the Defending Champions are favored to win it all again this year, amongst WNBA bettors. Las Vegas stands at 23-2, and WNBA fans are eager to see them continuously make WNBA history. From July 9 to July 22nd, Las Vegas tied for history, and hit five consecutive games with a 15-point differential. During that span, there was a 102 total point differential in five games, which averages out to 20.4 The last team to re-peat as Champions were the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001/2002, and the Aces are chasing the Phoenix Mercury for the best record in WNBA History. The Phoenix Mercury currently holds the league record at 29-5, which was back in 2014.

23-2

Protected The House #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/UobogEwAti
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) July 31, 2023

Why the Aces can win it all.

In basketball, net rating often means a combination of offensive, and defensive ratings. In another words, it's the offensive minus the defensive rating. The Las Vegas Aces have a net rating of 19, which is first in the league, with the Liberty trailing in second (6.3). This statistic should show WNBA bettors why the Aces are not only the best team record wise; however, they are the best team on both sides of the court. This large margin is absolutely frightening and gives a good picture how efficient this team is.

The Aces had four All-Stars represent at this year's game, including A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Kelsey Plum. The Aces veteran star, Candice Parker is indefinitely out with a foot injury, which leaves Vegas with a thin bench. With Head Coach, Becky Hammon, the Aces have been an unstoppable force. Besides Alysha Clark, the Aces will be tested with their lack of depth in the playoffs. If you are betting on the WNBA, the Aces have a high chance of repeating as champions.

New York Liberty (+270)

Best start in franchise history #LIGHTITUPNYL pic.twitter.com/wk2jfNcavb
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) July 26, 2023

Record: 19-6, 10-4 Home, 9-2 Away
PPG: 88.6 (2nd)
Net Rating: 6.8 (2nd)
Offensive Rating: 107.8 (2nd)
Defensive Rating: 101 (7th)
RPG: 37.9 (2nd)
3 PT %: 38 (2nd)
FG %: 45.4 (2nd)
STL: 6.6 (8th)
BLK: 4.6 (5th)
FT %: 83.3 (1st)
OPP PPG: 82.5 (5th)
Remaining Schedule:
Home: Las Vegas(twice), Chicago, Connecticut, Los Angeles, Washington
Away: Los Angeles, Minnesota, Indiana, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Connecticut, Minnesota, Chicago, Dallas

The New York Liberty got off to the best start in franchise history at 17-5 and have a "super team," comprised of Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Breanna Stewart. New York is one of the top rebounding teams, comprised of elite shooters. Their offensive rating of 107.8 ranks second in the league, and 37.2 percent of New York's points are three-pointers. Guard, Sabrina Ionescu ranks first in the league in three-pointers made (3.5), and third in three-point percentage (44). The Liberty set an WNBA record 44 points in the first quarter, against the Indiana Fever, and Breanna Stewart continues to make history. WNBA bettors have the Liberty at +270 odds to win the WNBA Championship.

Check out our top 10 plays from the 1st half of the szn Presented by @CarMax #SEAFOAMSZN pic.twitter.com/rgbid297Gw
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) July 31, 2023

Why the Liberty can win it all.

Through 25 games, Stewart, 28, is the second player in Liberty Franchise, to score 10 + 25-point games in a season. Stewart is an MVP candidate, and is the second player in WNBA History to reach 500 points, 200 rebounds, and 50 3-pointers made through 25 games. If you're betting on the WNBA, you cannot count out stewie and the Liberty odds.

The New York Liberty has the most appearances in the WNBA finals (four), without actually winning a title. The Liberty finished under .500 the past two seasons, in which New York lost in the first round of the playoffs. In their last win against the Sparks, 87-79, the Liberty became the third team in the WNBA to have three games with at least 15 three-pointers.

The signing of former MVP, Jonquel Jones, along with Courtney Vandersloot has been key for the Liberty. Vandersloot, 34, is tied for first in assists with Connecticut's Alyssa Thomas. Jones, in a rhythm with her new team, is coming off six straight games with rebounds in double-figures. In the month of July, the Liberty Forward had a double-double in four straight games and has points in double figures in all July games but three. New York has key players in Betnijah Laney, Marine Johannes, and Kayla Thorton. New York has been inconsistent at times, and known to blow some larger leads. Though New York doesn't have the best defense, they play high tempo basketball, and are a force on the offensive end. If you're betting on the WNBA, New York has a high chance to win it all, considering the odds.

Dallas Wings (+3000)

Nothing like a locker room celebrating the first triple double recorded in a #DallasWings uniform by @satou_sabally #VoltUp pic.twitter.com/GmTGOsTdO7
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) July 29, 2023

Record: 14-11, 9-3 Home, 5-8 Away
PPG: 86.2 (3rd)
Net Rating: 4.4 (4th)
Offensive Rating: 105.2 (3rd)
Defensive Rating: 100.8 (5th)
RPG: 39.9 (1st)
3 PT %: 22.9 (12th)
FG %: 43.6 (6th)
STL: 7.4 (6th)
BLK: 4.2 (7th)
FT %: 80.2 (6th)
OPP PPG: 82.6 (6th)
Remaining Schedule:
Home: Chicago (twice), Las Vegas, Connecticut, Minnesota, Indiana, New York, Seattle.
Away: Seattle, Connecticut, Washington, Minnesota, Phoenix, Indiana, Atlanta.

Why the Wings can win it all.

This is where things get interesting if you plan on betting on the WNBA. After the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty, the odds change dramatically at +3000 odds for Dallas. First the Detroit Shock and Tulsa Shock, now the Dallas Wings, the franchise seek their first championship since 2008 (Detroit Shock). Dallas stands at 14-11, after two first round playoff exits in two consecutive seasons. The Wings won five consecutive games in July, including impressive wins against New York, and Las Vegas. Dallas beat the Washington Mystics by 28 points, the largest margin out of any game this season. Dallas ranks first in rebounds, and third in total offense. On the contrary, the Wings rank last in three-point percentage (22.9).

Super teams are not a concern for @Arike_O and the @DallasWings pic.twitter.com/ktbSUobEsd
— espnW (@espnW) July 27, 2023

When it comes to betting, specifically WNBA betting, it's about who's hot at the right time. The Dallas Wings are the fourth best team, and have a net rating of 4.4, which is directly below the Connecticut Sun. Besides the Las Vegas Aces, the Liberty, Sun, the Wings hover similarly in net rating, where it drops off with the Washington Mystics. This Dallas offensive has four heavy hitters, in Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, Natasha Howard, and Teaira McCowan. It's no secret that Dallas has incredible size and could be a problem for teams that play small. Though the WNBA betting odds are higher for Dallas, Latricia Trammel has a rotation that runs deep, and Satou Sabally had her first career triple double for Dallas. The Wings will need to step up their perimeter shooting, along with free-throw percentage.

Connecticut Sun (+3000)

sending you all some Monday Motivation with the 4th Alyssa Thomas triple-double of the year, recapped

17 PTS | 14 REB | 11 AST#CTSun | #ForgedByFire pic.twitter.com/tkVOzM1AI5
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) July 31, 2023

If you are betting on the WNBA, the odds for the Connecticut Sun to win it all maybe be perplexing. The Sun are 18-7, and rank third in the league. Connecticut has a +5.1-point differential (3rd) and ranks first in opponent points per game (78.9). The Sun, led by Head Coach Stephanie White, hold opponents to 31.1 three-point percentage, and rank fifth in three-point percentage (35.6). Connecticut's net ranking hangs below New York at 5.9 and is one year removed from the WNBA Finals. For a team that ranks third in the WNBA, and has five consecutive playoff appearances, +3000 odds seem like a steal if you plan to bet on the WNBA. The Sun rank second in defensive rating at 97.8.

Record: 18-7, 8-4 Home, 10-3 Away.
PPG: 84 (5th)
Net Rating: 5.9 (3rd)
Offensive Rating: 103.6 (4th)
Defensive Rating: 97.6 (2nd)
RPG: 33.9 (8th)
3 PT %: 35.6 (5th)
FG %: 44.3 (3rd)
STL: 8.3 (1st)
BLK: 3.9 (8th)
FT %: 76.5 (11th)
OPP PPG: 78.9 (1st)
Remaining Schedule:
Home: Minnesota, New York, Los Angeles (twice), Dallas, Phoenix, Indiana, Chicago
Away: Indiana, Seattle, Phoenix, Dallas, Chicago, Washington, New York.

ROSTER UPDATE: Connecticut Sun Sign Bernadett Határ

: https://t.co/9QOLvFmy0U pic.twitter.com/fpm5ayErpS
— Connecticut Sun PR (@CTSunPR) July 26, 2023

Why the Sun can win it all.

If you're plan to bet on the Connecticut Sun winning the Championship, +3000 odds seem like a great value. Losing Foward Brionna Jones with a ruptured Achilles was a huge loss, however, DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, and Tiffany Hayes have stepped up in a big way. Alyssa Thomas recently recorded her sixth career triple-double, and Bonner has back-to-back 30-point games (most in Connecticut Sun franchise history). Since Jones injury on June 20th, the Sun have gone 12-5. Connecticut has notable wins over Dallas, Las Vegas, and Atlanta. Over the last four games, the Sun defeated the Dream twice, and Dallas on the road. Out of the next fifteen games, Stephanie White's team only faces five teams who have a record of .500 and up. Connecticut has depth and has a serious chance of retaining their spot in the East.

Dark Horse teams: Minnesota Lynx, Washington Mystics

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles. Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

Keep up with us on Social Media!

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The post WNBA Betting: Future Championship Betting Odds appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

WNBA Daily: Player Prop Betting Odds & Stats

Sara Jane Gamelli — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 19:50:19 +0000

WNBA best Player Prop Bets, Trends, Odds, Stats, and Predictions for Sunday, July 30th.

July 30, 2023

Written and edited by:

Sara Jane Gamelli

In my last article, I discussed the WNBA straight bet odds, stats, and predictions for Sunday, July 30th. There are six WNBA games on the slate today, and this article will cover player prop odds, stats, predictions, and analysis. All games will air on either ESPN, ESPN3, or CBSNN. If you are looking for the best betting odds, stats and analysis, here is some information to know.

^{Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.}

Jonquel Jones OVER 7.5 REB (-120)

PPG: 11.8 | FG: 55.6 % | 3 PT: 41.4 % | FT: 86.4 % |REB: 7.6 |AST: 1.5 |STL: 0.5 |BLK: 1.3

Turnaround JJ @jus242 pic.twitter.com/3FV3NGQArS
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) July 27, 2023

Liberty Foward, Jonquel Jones, is coming off her fifth straight game with rebounds in double figures. Prior to the previous matchup against Minnesota, Jones had four straight double-doubles, in points and rebounds. In the last five games, Jonquel has 11 rebounds against Minnesota, 13 versus Atlanta, 17 against Seattle, 11 versus Indiana, and 11 rebounds on the road against Washington.

At 6 foot 6, the Liberty rank second in the league in rebounds (37.7) and face a Los Angeles Sparks team that is near last in rebounds. (31.9). The Sparks allow opponents to grab 35.5 boards per game (9th), and the Liberty allow opponents to rebound 34.2 times per game (4th). Jonquel Jones hit this prop in six straight games, and I expect her to do it tonight. The biggest threat to Jones will be Sparks forward, Nneka Ogwumike, who is averaging 9.3 rebounds per game. I want to say Nneka Ogwumike over points as well.

Jewell Loyd OVER 22.5 Points (-125)

PPG: 24.2 | FG: 38.2 % | 3 PT: 39.1 % | FT: 87 % |REB: 4.6 | AST: 3.5 |STL: 1.1 |BLK: 0.5

Gold Mamba strikes pic.twitter.com/DV95vMWIYS
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) July 29, 2023

Seattle Storm Guard, Jewell Loyd is an MVP Candidate this season. The Storm will face off against the Indiana Fever, who rank last in points allowed (85.7). The Fever allow opponents to shoot 36.3 from the three-point, and permit teams to make 8.2 three-pointers a game. On average, opponents attempt 22.6 three-pointers against the Fever.

Jewell Loyd is coming off a 15-point performance against the Chicago Sky. In her only matchup against Indiana, the Seattle Guard scored 19 points on (5-21) and played 27 minutes. Loyd was 2-7 from the three-point and made all seven of her free-throws.

Seattle is coming off an 83-74 win against Chicago, following a ten-game skid. Loyd hit over 22.5 points in four games in July, and six times in June. Loyd is averaging 15.4 field goal attempts, 30.1 minutes, and 9.3 three-point shot attempts in the last ten games. She had a high volume of shots against Indiana last matchup (5-21), in which Loyd was held to 24 percent field goal percentage. With Loyd shooting nearly 40 percent from downtown, I expect her to show out tonight versus an Indiana team who doesn't defend the perimeter well.

Chelsea Gray OVER 13.5 Points (-125)

PPG: 14.6 | FG: 49.8 % | 3 PT: 43.5 % | FT: 91.4 % |REB: 3.6 |AST: 6.9 |STL: 1.5 |BLK: 0.6

#POINTGAWDDDDD work @cgray209 // #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/G0UBAwTvZw
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) July 26, 2023

The Las Vegas Aces are chasing WNBA history, and face a Dallas Wings team, who are a solid defensive team. Dallas holds opponents to 32.7 three-point percentage. Aces Guard, Chelea Gray scored over 13.5 points in both matchups against Dallas, which includes a 14 and 20-point performance. The Aces rank 1st in net rating and offense and are often hard to guard on the weak and strong side of the ball. In two games against the Wings, Gray averaged 16 points, 36 minutes, 14.5 field goal attempts, and 5 three-point attempts. Gray is an elite guard, shooting over 43 percent from downtown. With the high-volume shots and minutes, I like Gray over 13.5 points.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles. Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

Keep up with us on Social Media!

Tweets by BallislifeBets

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The post WNBA Daily: Player Prop Betting Odds & Stats appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

WNBA Daily: Straight Bets, Odds & Stats

Sara Jane Gamelli — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 17:49:03 +0000

WNBA Daily Betting Odds, Stats, and Predictions for Sunday, July 30th.

Written & edited by:

Sara Jane Gamelli

It's Sunday, July 30th, and there are six games on the WNBA Slate. The first begins at 1 PM, and the last starts at 6 PM EST. In this article, I will discuss the odds, stats, and betting trends, along with predictions for straight bets of the day. If you wish to watch the matchups, they will air on ESPN, CBSSM, and ESPN3. If you're interested in watching all games, the WNBA League Pass is available. If you are looking for the best betting odds, stats and analysis, here is some information to know.

FULLLLL slate of hoops today

We’ve got 6 matchups on 3 networks starting at 1pm/ET on @CBSSportsNet

Then head over to ESPN3 at 3pm/ET & @ESPN at 4pm/ET as the action continues #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/XB6DMFBJfc
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 30, 2023

Daily WNBA Odds

^{Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook}

New York Liberty -8.5 (-114)

The New York Liberty (18-6, 8-2) are coming off a home loss against the Minnesota Lynx, 88-83. The Lynx were without star Napheesa Colier, and suffered several injuries during the matchup. Liberty guard, Sabrina Ionescu hit 7-14 three-point shots, including a few towards the end of the game. New York was able to cut the deficit to three, however, the team could not get into a rhythm all game, and shot 28.6 percent from the three, and 36 percent from the field. The Liberty are 8-2 on the road, and face a Sparks team who is 9-15, and 7-6 at home. Los Angeles won two straight games against Indiana, and this will be the first matchup of the season for the two teams.

The New York Liberty carry a streak of 15 straight games with 80 points or more into their matchup with the L.A. Sparks today (4 ET, ESPN).

That's a franchise record and the 2nd-longest such streak in the WNBA this season. pic.twitter.com/kdvXHJduWx
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 30, 2023

Betting Trends

New York Liberty: 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Los Angeles Sparks: 2-3 in their last 5 games.
New York Liberty: 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Los Angeles Sparks: 2-8 in their last 10 games.
Liberty Overall ATS Record: 10-14-0
Liberty Overall O/U Record: 16-8-0
Sparks Overall ATS Record: 8-14-2
Sparks Overall O/U Record: 11-13-0
Liberty: 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games.
Liberty: 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games.
Sparks: 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
Sparks: 1-8-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
Liberty O/U: 7-3 in the last 10 games.
Sparks O/U 5-5 in the last 10 games.
NY ATS won last 10 games: Atlanta (-9), Indiana (-13), Seattle (-10)
LA ATS won last 10 games: Indiana (-2.5)

Head-To-Head Stats: Liberty vs. Sparks

Tonight, will be the first matchup of the year between the Liberty and Sparks.
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups: 158
Liberty average points vs. Sparks last 10 games: 77
Sparks average points vs Liberty last 10 games: 81
Liberty average points last 10 games: 90
Sparks average points last 10 games: 77
New York ranks 2nd in Offensive Rating (107.8)
Los Angeles ranks 10th in Offensive Rating (96.7)
New York Points Per Game: 88.7 (2nd)
Los Angeles Points Per Game: 78.5 (8th)
New York Rebounds Per Game: 37.7 (2nd)
Los Angeles Rebounds Per Game: 31.9 (11th)
New York ranks 6th in Defensive Rating (101.1)
Los Angeles ranks 5th in Defensive Rating (100.6)
New York Opponent Points Per Game: 82.7
Los Angeles Opponent Points Per Game: 81.7
New York Net Rating: 6.7 (2nd)
Los Angeles Net Rating: -3.8 (7th)

^{Stats courtesy of the WNBA and ESPN.}

Sunday Funday ft. Back 2 School Night presented by @UCLAHealth.

New York Liberty
1 PM PST
@espn pic.twitter.com/A6UlHoT3FL
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 30, 2023

Prediction

Sparks guard, Lexie Brown will be out for today's game against New York. In 12 games played, Brown averages 12.4 points, and 2.4 assists.

New York lost a tough matchup against Minnesota, however, won 8 out of their 10 games, and 4 of the last 5 games played. New York covered the -9.5 against Atlanta, -13 against Indiana, and -10 against Seattle. The Liberty are second best offensive team in the league, while the Sparks rank near the bottom. With Brown out for the game, Los Angeles is a team that averages under 80 points a game. From June 28 to July 22nd, Los Angeles went on an eight-game skid, and only covered the spread once in the last ten games. The Sparks covered the -2.5 spread against Indiana, who is 6-18. I grabbed the line early, and I think New York could potentially cover by more than -8.5. With Courtney Vandersloot back in the lineup for New York, I expect them to bounce back, and find their rhythm.

Seattle Storm +4.5 (-114)

The Seattle Storm have a record of 5-19, 3-8 Away, and faces the Indiana Fever, with a record of 6-18, 1-7 Home. The Storm recently snapped a ten-game skid, and defeated the Chicago Sky Saturday, 83-74. The Storm is 1-9 in their past ten games, however, the Storm covered five, including against the Liberty (Twice), Sky, Dream and Aces. Seattle had a 15-point lead on Tuesday, and ultimately lost against New York. Seattle had four players with points in double figures against Chicago, including Jewell Loyd, Ezi Magbegor, Sami Whitcomb, and Gabby Williams.

The Seattle Storm snap their 10-game losing streak with a win over Chicago

It was the longest losing streak in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/I0CodNpLJz
— espnW (@espnW) July 29, 2023

Betting Trends

Seattle Storm: 1-4 in their last 5 games.
Indiana Fever: 1-4 in their last 5 games.
Seattle Storm: 1-9 in their last 10 games.
Indiana Fever: 1-9 in their last 10 games.
Storm Overall ATS Record: 13-10-1
Storm Overall O/U Record: 12-12-0
Fever Overall ATS Record: 12-10-2
Fever Overall O/U Record: 13-11-0
Storm: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
Storm: 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games.
Fever: 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.
Fever: 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games.
Storm: O/U 4-6 in the last 10 games.
Fever: O/U 5-5 in the last 10 games.
Seattle ATS won last 10 games: Chicago (+4.5), New York (+15), Las Vegas (+16.5), Atlanta (+14.5), New York (+15.5).
Indiana ATS won last 10 games: Los Angeles (+4.5), Washington (+2.5), New York (+10), Dallas (+3.5).

Head-To-Head Stats: Storm vs. Fever

Indiana is 1-0 against Seattle this season.
Indiana covered the +2.5 spread vs Seattle.
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups: 156
Storm average points vs. Fever last 10 games: 82
Fever average points vs Storm last 10 games: 74
Storm average points last 10 games: 78
Fever average points last 10 games: 80
Seattle ranks 12th in Offensive Rating (95.9)
Indiana ranks 5th in Offensive Rating (101.6)
Seattle Points Per Game: 78.5 (10th)
Indiana Points Per Game: 81.4 (6th)
Seattle Rebounds Per Game: 34.2 (7th)
Indiana Rebounds Per Game: 34.8 (5th)
Seattle ranks 9th in Defensive Rating (104.6)
Indiana ranks 12th in Defensive Rating (106.5)
Seattle Opponent Points Per Game: 85.7
Indiana Opponent Points Per Game: 85.7
Seattle Net Rating: -8.7 (11th)
Indiana Net Rating: -5 (8th)

home sweet home.

@GainbridgeFH
4:00pm ET
@BallySportsIN, ESPN3
https://t.co/wlaiHSkFR4 pic.twitter.com/HhoepJeekf
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 30, 2023

Prediction

The Seattle Storm and the Indiana Fever are two of the worst teams in the league, especially on the defensive end. Both teams are 1-9 in their past ten games, and I don't expect this to be a barnburner. Indiana defeated the Storm in their only matchup of the season 80-68 and covered the -4 point spread. Though Seattle suffered a brutal ten game skid, they cover high spreads against good teams. I am impressed with the way Seattle played against Chicago, and against New York. Indiana is currently on a three-game losing streak, in which they only covered the spread once. If I had to pick a side, I'm, going with Jewell Loyd and Magbegor. The Storm are 4-1 ATS in their last five games, and 13-10-1 ATS this season.

Connecticut Sun vs. Minnesota Lynx UNDER 160.5- (-110)

The Connecticut Sun (18-6, 8-3 Home) will take on the Minnesota Lynx (12-13, 6-5 Away) the next couple of games at home. Both teams are coming off two game win streaks, including Ironically, the Connecticut Sun defeated the Dallas Wings, 88-83. Minnesota hit the over in three straight games, while Connecticut hit the over versus Minnesota. In the two matchups this season, Connecticut won both, in which the over hit once.

It's time Secure your seats for 2023 home games!

BUY NOW: https://t.co/MX0AkJup7E pic.twitter.com/2jnnMmANve
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) April 18, 2023

Betting Trends

Connecticut Sun: 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Minnesota Lynx: 3-2 in their last 5 games.
Connecticut Sun: 7-3 in their last 10 games.
Minnesota Lynx: 6-4 in their last 10 games.
Sun Overall ATS Record: 14-9-1
Sun Overall O/U Record: 14-10-0
Lynx Overall ATS Record: 13-11-1
Lynx Overall O/U Record: 13-12-0
Sun: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
Sun: 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
Lynx: 2-2-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
Lynx: 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
Sun O/U: 4-6 in the last 10 games.
Lynx O/U: 5-5 in the last 10 games.
Connecticut ATS won last 10 games: Dallas (+3.5), Atlanta (+1.5), Atlanta (-5), Chicago (-5), Washington (-4.5), Seattle (-10.5), Chicago (-6.5)
Minnesota ATS won last 10 games: New York (+13.5), Washington (-3.5), Phoenix (-5), Indiana (-2), Phoenix (+1.5)

Head-To-Head Stats: Sun vs. Lynx

Connecticut is 2-0 against Minnesota this season.
The season spread is split 1-1.
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups: 160
Sun average points vs. Lynx last 10 games: 81
Lynx average points vs Sun last 10 games: 79
Sun average points last 10 games: 85
Lynx average points last 10 games: 82
Connecticut ranks 4th in Offensive Rating (103.6)
Minnesota ranks 8th in Offensive Rating (99.6)
Connecticut Points Per Game: 84 (5th)
Minnesota Points Per Game: 80.2 (8th)
Connecticut Rebounds Per Game: 33.9 (8th)
Minnesota Rebounds Per Game: 34.6 (6th)
Connecticut ranks 2nd in Defensive Rating (97.3)
Minnesota ranks 11th in Defensive Rating (106)
Connecticut Opponent Points Per Game: 78.6 (1st)
Minnesota Opponent Points Per Game: 85.4 (10th)
Connecticut Net Rating: 6.3 (3rd)
Minnesota Net Rating: -6.5 (10th)

HUGE WIN!! https://t.co/I1xaGFDemC
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) July 29, 2023

Prediction

The Connecticut Sun are 2-0 against the Minnesota Lynx this season (89-68, 89-84). The Sun covered the -4 spread the last game, and Minnesota with the +6 in the first matchup. Both teams are coming off a two-game win streak, in which the over hit for both. Although the Minnesota Lynx are without their star, Napheesa Collier, they hit the over in three straight games. Connecticut is averaging 85 points a game, and Minnesota with 82 in their last ten games. Minnesota is one of the worst defensive teams in the league, while the Connecticut Sun are the one the best on both sides of the court. I expect Connecticut to play defense and hold Minnesota today. Give me the under

Atlanta Dream -7.5 (-115)

The Atlanta Dream is coming off a tough loss against the New York Liberty, 95-84, in which they could not cover the +9 spread. Washington remains without forward Elena Delle Donne, and dropped two straight matchups, against the Dallas Wings, and Minnesota Lynx. Atlanta is 13-11-0 against the spread this season and covered the spread six times since July 2nd. The Atlanta Dream, (13-11, 6-6 Home) stands 5th in the WNBA, and will take on the Washington Mystics (12-12, 4-8 Away) at home.

IT’S GME DAY!

@gatewayarena
@washingtonmystics
3:00pm ET
on @ballysportsso & @amazonprime #atlantadream pic.twitter.com/eBzslNOZLz
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) July 30, 2023

Betting Trends

Washington Mystics:1-4 in their last 5 games.
Atlanta Dream: 2-3 in their last 5 games.
Washington Mystics 3-7 in their last 10 games.
Atlanta Dream: 7-3 in their last 10 games.
Mystics Overall ATS Record: 11-13-0
Mystics Overall O/U Record: 19-14-1
Dream Overall ATS Record: 13-11-0
Dream Overall O/U Record: 13-11-0
Mystics: 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games.
Mystics: 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games.
Dream: 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games.
Dream: 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games.
Mystics O/U: 6-4 in the last 10 games.
Dream O/U: 3-7 in the last 10 games.
Washington ATS won last 10 games: Phoenix (-3.5), New York (+10), Seattle (-4.5), Indiana (+1).
Atlanta ATS won last 10 games: LA (-5.5, +2), Chicago (+2, +2), Minnesota (-6), Phoenix (-7.5)

Head-To-Head Stats: Mystics vs. Dream

The Series split is 1-1 this season.
The season spread is split 1-1.
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups: 165
Mystics average points vs. Dream last 10 games: 87
Dream average points vs Mystics last 10 games: 78
Mystics average points last 10 games: 84
Dream average points last 10 games: 85
Washington ranks 7th in Offensive Rating (99.9
Atlanta ranks 6th in Offensive Rating (101.2)
Washington Points Per Game: 81.1(7th)
Atlanta Points Per Game: 85 (4th)
Washington Rebounds Per Game: 32.5 (10th)
Atlanta Rebounds Per Game: 37 (3rd)
Washington ranks 3rd in Defensive Rating (99.1)
Atlanta ranks 7th in Defensive Rating (101.2)
Washington Opponent Points Per Game: 80.3 (3rd)
Atlanta Opponent Points Per Game: 85.1 (9th)
Washington Net Rating: 0.8 (5th)
Atlanta Net Rating: 0 (6th)

Status alert: Elena Delle Donne (ankle) out at least 3 more games.
— Underdog WNBA (@Underdog__WNBA) July 25, 2023

Prediction

The series is split 1-1 between the Atlanta Dream and the Washington Mystics. In the previous matchup, Atlanta defeated Washington, 94-89, and covered the +2 spread. Mystics forward, Elena Delle Donne will be out with an injury, and had two monster games against the Dream. Delle Donne averaged 28 points per game and will be a big piece missing for today's game. The Dream went on a six-game win streak from July 2 to July 18, and are 6-5 against the spread in the last ten games. Washington lost two spreads in a row, have a ton of injuries, and got blown out their last game, 90-62 against Dallas. The Dream have a better record at home, at 6-6, and have an overall record of 13-11-0 against the spread.

Dallas Wings +10.5 (-105

The Dallas Wings (14-10, 5-7 Away) are coming off a 90-62 win against the Washington Mystics. Dallas plays the Las Vegas Aces (22-2, 11-0 Home), who are undefeated at home. The Aces are coming off a 107-95 win, against the Chicago Sky. The Season series is split 1-1, in which Dallas covered both a +9.5 and +12 spread against the Aces.

Sunday Showdown at The House

3 PM PT
SSSEN // @CBSSportsNet #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/YHdCNj71uk
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) July 30, 2023

Betting Trends

Dallas Wings: 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Las Vegas Aces: 5-0 in their last 5 games.
Dallas Wings: 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Las Vegas Aces: 9-1 in their last 10 games.
Wings Overall ATS Record: 12-11-0
Wings Overall O/U Record: 11-13-0
Aces Overall ATS Record: 13-11-0
Aces Overall O/U Record: 15-9-0
Wings: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
Wings: 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games.
Aces: 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.
Aces 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games.
Wings O/U: 4-6 in the last 10 games.
Aces O/U: 7-3 in the last 10 games.
Dallas ATS won last 10 games: Phoenix (-4), Washington (-6.5), Las Vegas (+12, +9.5), Minnesota (-2.5), New York (+7.5), LA (-8), Washington (-9).
Las Vegas ATS won last 10 games: New York (-6.5), Connecticut (-11), Minnesota (-11.5), Phoenix (-17), LA (-12.5), Minnesota (-14)

Head-To-Head Stats: Wings vs. Aces

The Series split is 1-1 this season.
The Wings covered the (+12, +9.5) spread in two matchups.
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups: 165
Wings average points vs. Aces last 10 games: 80
Aces average points vs Wings last 10 games: 83
Wings average points last 10 games: 88
Aces average points last 10 games: 96
Dallas ranks 3rd in Offensive Rating (105)
Las Vegas ranks 1st in Offensive Rating (114.8)
Dallas Points Per Game: 86 (3rd)
Las Vegas Points Per Game: 94.1 (1st)
Dallas Rebounds Per Game: 39.8 (1st)
Las Vegas Rebounds Per Game: 35 (4th)
Dallas ranks 4th in Defensive Rating (99.8)
Las Vegas ranks 1st in Defensive Rating (95.8)
Dallas Opponent Points Per Game: 81.7 (5th)
Las Vegas Opponent Points Per Game: 78.7 (2nd)
Dallas Net Rating: 5.2 (4th)
Las Vegas Net Rating: 19.0 (1st)

Prediction

The Dallas Wings and the Las Vegas Aces are two of the top teams in the WNBA. The series is split 1-1, and Dallas covered both high spreads in two matchups. The Wings are 4-1 and 8-2 against the spread in the last ten games, and +10.5 seems a little high. Both teams rank top three in offensive rating, and Dallas is first in rebounding. The Aces are undefeated at home, and the Wings are 5-7 on the road. Both teams are top four in defensive rating. I expect Dallas to cover the +10.5 tonight.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles. Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

Keep up with us on Social Media!

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The post WNBA Daily: Straight Bets, Odds & Stats appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Seattle Storm: Snap 10-game skid vs. Chicago Sky

Sara Jane Gamelli — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:53:27 +0000

On Friday July 28th, the Seattle Storm broke a franchise-record ten game losing streak, and defeated the Chicago Sky, 83-74. The Storm covered the +4.5 money line, and the game total hit the under.

July 29, 2023

Written and edited by:

Sara Jane Gamelli

DUB #TakeCover #StormWins pic.twitter.com/TIZNKzEuvf
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) July 29, 2023

Seattle Storm finally ended their ten- game losing streak, with a win over the Chicago Sky, 83-74 on the road. The Storms last win came against the Phoenix Mercury, 97-74 on June 24th, which is more than one month ago. In that tough stretch, 70 percent of the games played, were against winning teams, such as the New York Liberty [three times], Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics, and Connecticut Sun. After the victory, Seattle moves to 5-19, 3-8 away, and remain in last place.

Ezi Magbegor Shines

Ezi Magbegor, 23, had an impressive game for Seattle. In 32 minutes, Magbegor scored 17 points (7-16), grabbed 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals, and dished out 5 assists. The Seattle Center was able to use the pick and roll and had toughness in the paint. We saw Ezi utilize screens, and movement, in order to create the mismatch with Williams and Copper down below. In the second half, we saw incredible ball movement from Magbegor to the open player. Overall, Magbegor was the defensive anchor, created high and low screens, and was often found wide open in the paint.

The duo of @ezimagbegor and @gabbywilliams15 get the job done on the road as the Storm beat the Sky and end a 10-game losing streak

Magbegor 17 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST
Williams 17 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/zp8ntw5wR3
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 29, 2023

Key Players

The Storm had three players with points in double figures, in addition to Magbegor— Jewell Loyd (15), Sami Whitcomb (12), and Gabby Williams (17). Seattle did not impress from the three, only hitting 7-26 from downtown. In a relatively low scoring affair, the Storm shot 42 percent from the field, outrebounded the Sky, 46-26, and had 24 second chance points. With the help of Magbegor and Williams, Seattle outscored Chicago in the Paint by 10 points, and all five of their starters were positive on the court. The Storm held the Sky to 41 percent field goal, 68 free-throw, and 25 percent three-point percentage. Similarly, Seattle played tough defense in the previous game against New York, and held the Liberty to 40 percent field goal, and 28.6 percent three-point percentage.

Seattle commanded an 18-point lead, which was cut to seven, by the Chicago Sky. Jewell Loyd, an MVP candidate, had 15 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Loyd was coming off a 32-point performance, against the Liberty, and got help from several teammates on Friday. Sami Whitcomb, back after a two-year stint with New York, had her first career double-double (12 points 10 rebounds), and Gabby Williams, with 17 points and six rebounds.

A @jewellloyd jumper to give the @seattlestorm a 12-PT lead in the 3Q and Mama Loyd with the approval

@iontv pic.twitter.com/u3M3qoHeyi
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 29, 2023

First career double-double for @SamBam32! pic.twitter.com/hkh7yBI7i7
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) July 29, 2023

After the departure of Breanna Stewart, to New York, and Sue Bird, to retirement, the Storm are left with four players from their championship team—Jewell Loyd, Ezi Magbegor, Mercedes Russell, and Sami Whitcomb (back after two years with the Liberty). Seattle may be in last place and have the worst field goal percentage in the WNBA (40.1), however, they rank 6th in three-point percentage (34.6), and second in three-point attempts (610). Where Seattle struggles has been on the defensive end. Though they held opponents to 82 points and under in five straight games, they allow on average 85 points scored a game, and a league high 36 rebounds.

Seattle Storm's Upcoming Schedule

The second half of the 2023 WNBA has begun, in which the Seattle Storm have 16 games left to play, nine of which are on the road. There is some good news for the Storm, only five of their opponents have winning records in the upcoming games. After a tough ten game stretch, perhaps Seattle will get a chance to move up in the standings.

Betting Trends

The Seattle Storm stand at 5-19, and their chance to win the 2023 WNBA Championship is +50,000 [Draft Kings Sportsbook]. Here are some interesting betting trends:

Seattle Storm Stats:

4-1 ATS in the last 5 games.
5-5 ATS in their last 10 games.
O/U record is 1-4 in the last 5 games.
O/U record is 4-6 in the last 10 games.
Averaging 84 points in the last 2 games.
Held opponents to 80 points in the last 2 games.

Seattle is 13-10-1 against the spread (ATS), and 12-12-0 in totals (Over/Under). In the last ten games, the Storm covered against very good teams, such as the New York Liberty (+15) (+15.5), Las Vegas Aces (+16.5), and the Atlanta Dream (+14.5). Jewell Loyd has been one of my favorite player prop picks this season, along with Seattle covering some of the larger spreads.

The Seattle Storm (5-19, 3-8 Away), will take on the Indiana Fever (6-18, 1-7 Home) on the road, Sunday July 30th, at 4 PM EST. The matchup will air on ESPN3.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles. Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, Journalist, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

Keep up with us on Social Media!

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WNBA Daily: Player Prop Betting Odds & Stats

Sara Jane Gamelli — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 21:03:42 +0000

WNBA best Player Prop Bets, Trends, Odds, Stats, and Predictions for Friday, July 28th.

Written & edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

In case you missed my last article, I broke down the betting trends, odds, and stats for straight bets today. There are three games on the WNBA slate today and I will discuss the best player prop plays and odds. If you're planning to bet on today's games, all three will be televised on ION. The WNBA League pass is available to viewers who wish to catch all of the WNBA games. If you are looking for the best betting odds, stats and analysis, here is some information to know.

^{Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.}

Jonquel Jones OVER 7.5 Rebounds (-140)

New York Liberty Forward, Jonquel Jones is playing basketball on another level. Jones, 29, has four straight double doubles, against Atlanta, Seattle, Indiana, and Washington. Her stat line against the Dream last night, 24 minutes, 19 points, and 13 rebounds. In the last four games, Jones is averaging 13 rebounds a game, and had a season high (17), against Seattle, on Tuesday.

The former MVP is averaging 7.4 rebounds in 23 games played this season. Jones hit over 7.5 rebounds in 5 total games in July, and 6 in June. In the last ten games, Jones is averaging 8.4 rebounds a game, and 22.7 Points + Rebounds. Minnesota Lynx Star, Napheesa Collier is out for tonight's game against New York, and averages 7.9 rebounds a game. Behind Collier, Minnesota has a front court of Dorka Juhasz, Diamond Miller, and Jessica Shepard, who is back from illness. New York is second in rebounds (37.7), and Minnesota ranks 6th (34.4). I expect Jones, along with Breanna Stewart, to be a force down low, with Collier out.

Jonquel Jones has entered the chat @jus242 averaged 18.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 1.7 BPG to lead the @nyliberty to a 2-1 week record, earning her first Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor this szn #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/YKery8gg8q
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 25, 2023

Sabrina Ionescu OVER 6.5 Assists (-130)

Sabrina Ionescu messed around and got a triple double in the Liberty’s comeback win over the Storm

12 points
12 rebounds
12 assists

The Liberty trailed by as many as 18 and won pic.twitter.com/8pA7PO73LA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 26, 2023

The New York Liberty are playing excellent team basketball, and play at a high tempo. New York had 23 assists last game, in which nine of them were from Ionescu. The Liberty had four players with points in double figures last night, which has been the trend over their four-game win streak. Liberty guard, Courtney Vandersloot, is out for tonight's game, and leads the WNBA in assists per game (8). Sabrina Ionescu currently ranks 7th in the league in assists per game (5.9), and the Liberty rank first in assists (24.4).

New York is playing a Minnesota Lynx team, who rank 11th in 21 opponent assists per game. Minnesota allows opposing teams to shoot 36.3 percent beyond the arc, and 45.4 percent from the field.

Sabrina Ionescu hit over 6.5 assists in two straight games, and 5 games in July. The Liberty guard had 9 assist last night against Atlanta, and 12 against Seattle. With Vandersloot out, I expect Ionescu to create plays for her teammates, and continue that high tempo play. Both Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Betnijah Laney are all playing at a high level, and will utilize screens with Ionescu.

Satou Sabally OVER 9.5 Rebounds (-118)

SAAATOU SAAAABALLY @satou_sabally | #VoltUp pic.twitter.com/WKFlP2nq71
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) July 26, 2023

Satou Sabally, of the Dallas Wings is averaging 9.3 rebounds in 23 games this season. Sabally, 25, is coming off back-to-back double doubles, against Connecticut and Los Angeles. The Washington Mystics will still be without Foward, Elena Delle Donne, and rank 10th in rebounding per game (33). Dallas is the leading team in rebounding this season (39.5) and allow the fewest rebounds per opponent (32.5).

The Dallas forward hit over 9.5 rebounds eight total times in June, and three times in July. In the prior matchup against Washington, Sabally scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. In what as a low scoring affair (75-74), Howard and Sabally outrebounded Delle-Donne and Austin, 27-21. Sabally didn't stop in her second game against the Mystics. She grabbed 15 rebounds, including 11 defensive boards. With Elena Delle Donne out with an injury, Washington does not have a ton of depth behind center, Shakira Austin.

Kahleah Copper OVER 20.5 Points (-113).

SHE JUST DIFFERENT.

Congrats on a new career high in points, @kahleahcopper pic.twitter.com/6EcfsfTrdB
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) July 26, 2023

It's safe to say Kahleah Copper is one of the best players in the WNBA right now. In 22 games, the Copper, 28, is averaging 18.7 points, 7-15 field goal attempts, and is shooting 41.3 percent from the three-point. She is coming off career-highs in points, 29 against Seattle Saturday, and 37 against the Aces, Tuesday. In the last five games, the Sky guard is averaging 16.8 field goal attempts, and 29.3 minutes per game. The guard ranks 10th in the league in scoring (18.7), and 5th in field goal attempts per game (15.5). Kahleah plays around 31 minutes a game, which is a Chicago team high.

The Chicago Sky are matched up tonight against a Seattle Storm team who allow opponents to shoot a league high 37.5 percent from downtown, and 46.4 percent from the field. Seattle is in the midst of a miserable ten gaming losing streak, and Copper is coming off two career games. The Sky star had 37 points, against Las Vegas, who is the top ranked team in the league. Copper is shooting 49 percent from the field, and 35 percent from the three the last two games. Even more impressive, Kahlea Copper is 20-22 from the three-throw line in her last two games.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles.?Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

Keep up with us on Social Media!

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The post WNBA Daily: Player Prop Betting Odds & Stats appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

WNBA Daily: Straight Bets, Odds & Stats

Sara Jane Gamelli — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 18:28:48 +0000

July 28th best daily WNBA bets, odds, stats, and predictions.

Written and edited by:

Sara Jane Gamelli

Its Friday, and there are three games on the WNBA slate today, all beginning at 8 PM EST. The Seattle Storm (4-19, 2-8 Away) will face off against the Chicago Sky (9-14, 4-8). The Washington Mystics (12-11, 4-7 Away) will match up against the Dallas Wings (13-10, 8-3), and the Minnesota Lynx (11-13, 5-5) play the New York Liberty on the road (18-5, 10-3 Home). All games will be broadcasted on Ion. If you're interested in watching all games, the WNBA League Pass is available. If you are looking for the best betting odds, stats and analysis, here is some information to know.

Friday Nights on ION schedule

3 games tonight all beginning at 8pm/ET on @iontv, tune in! #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/Zh7V06OeLy
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 28, 2023

^{All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.}

New York Liberty -14.5 (-110)

The New York Liberty are off to their best start in franchise history, at 18-5. The core trio of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones makes New York one of the most dominant teams in the league. The Liberty are coming off a four-game win streak, against Atlanta, Seattle, Indiana, and Washington. The emergence of Betnijah Laney, and high IQ from Courtney Vandersloot has been incredible, especially in the last four matchups. New York is 10-3 at home, and their Offensive Rating stands second at 108, behind the Las Vegas Aces. The Liberty are 2-1 against the spread in the last three games and will face a Lynx that will be without their star, Napheesa Collier. New York is coming off a 95-84 win against the Atlanta Dream, in which they covered the -9 spread.

Stewie's on track for her 4th 30+PT game of the szn Her career-high is 5 @breannastewart pic.twitter.com/jNzT5QdYHW
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) July 27, 2023

Betting Trends

New York Liberty are 4-0 in their last 4 games.
Minnesota Lynx are 2-3 in their last 5 games.
New York Liberty are 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Minnesota Lynx are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
Liberty Overall ATS Record: 10-13-0
Liberty Overall O/U Record: 15-8-0
Lynx Overall ATS Record: 12-11-0
Lynx Overall O/U Record: 12-12-0.
The Liberty are 2-2 ATS in their last 4 games.
The Liberty are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
The Lynx are 1-2-1 ATS in their last 4 games.
The Lynx are 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
The Liberty O/U is 6-4 in the last 10 games.
The Lynx O/U is 7-3 in the last 10 games.
NY ATS won last 10 games: Atlanta (-9), Indiana (-13), Seattle (-10)
MIN ATS won last 10 games: Seattle (+3), Phoenix (+1.5), Indiana (-2), Phoenix (-5), Washington (-3.5).

Head-To-Head Stats: Liberty vs. Lynx

Tonight, will be the first matchup of the year between the Liberty and Lynx.
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups: 158.
Liberty average points vs. Lynx last 10 games: 75
Lynx average points vs Liberty last 10 games: 82
Liberty average points last 10 games: 90
Lynx average points last 10 games: 83
New York ranks 2nd in Offensive Rating (109.9)
Minnesota ranks 8th in Offensive Rating (100.6)
New York Points Per Game: 89 (2nd)
Minnesota Points Per Game: 79.9 (8th)
New York Rebounds Per Game: 37.7 (2nd)
Minnesota Rebounds Per Game: 34.4 (6th)
New York ranks 4th in Defensive Rating (101.8)
Minnesota ranks 11th in Defensive Rating (107.7)
New York Opponent Points Per Game: 82.4
Minnesota Opponent Points Per Game: 85.5
New York Net Rating: 108.0 (2nd)
Minnesota Net Rating: 99 (8th)

Minnesota Lynx All-Star forward Napheesa Collier has a right ankle injury and will miss her first game of the season Friday night against the New York Liberty, the team announced. https://t.co/BzUVeU0a0D
— ESPN Women's Hoops (@ESPN_WomenHoop) July 28, 2023

Injuries

Courtney Vandersloot (rest) ruled out Friday.
— Underdog WNBA (@Underdog__WNBA) July 28, 2023

New York Liberty

Stefanie Dolson, Center (OUT): Ankle
Han Xu, Center (OUT): Suspended
Courtney Vandersloot (OUT)

Minnesota Lynx

Napheesa Collier, Forward (OUT)
Natalie Achonwa, Forward (OUT)
Rachel Banham, Guard (OUT): Right thumb fracture

Prediction

This matchup is the first of the season, and a previous postponed game, due to the air quality in Brooklyn. The Minnesota Lynx will be without their star, Napheesa Collier, who left Wednesday's game against Washington with an ankle injury. Guard Rachel Banham will be out for the game as well, with a fractured thumb. New York has won four straight games, however, only covered the spread in Indiana (-13), and Atlanta (-9). In their last 10, the Liberty is averaging 90 points a game, and is playing exceptional team basketball. With Collier out, Minnesota loses a player who makes up 27 percent of the Lynx total offense. Minnesota will have to rely on rookie Dorka Juhasz to handle Jonquel Jones in the paint. Forward, Jessica Shepard is back from illness, however, she only played 8 minutes last game against Connecticut.

Breanna Stewart is coming off another double double, 33 points and 12 rebounds. Jonquel Jones is playing elite basketball and has four straight double doubles. Without Collier, Minnesota will be without the bulk of their offense, and rebounding. The Liberty also have an incredibly deep bench. I just got word, New York will be without playmaker, Courtney Vandersloot. At times, New York has blown big leads, however, I like their chances to cover -14.5, with Collier out.

Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings OVER 165.5 Points (-114)

The Washington Mystics remain without their star player, Elena Delle Donne, along with Shakira Austin. Since losing both, Washington remains at 3-5 since June 30th. The Minnesota Lynx defeated the Mystics 97-92 on Wednesday, in which the over hit (189). Mystics players Brittney Sykes, Myisha Hines-Allen, and Natasha Cloud had points in double figures, and the Mystics bench added 26 points.

The Dallas Wings rank first in the league in fast break and second chance points. Dallas stands at 13-10, behind Las Vegas in the Western Conference, and ranks third in points per game (85.8). Since July 7, the Wings won five straight games, and are 5-1 in their last six. Dallas lost their last game against the Connecticut Sun, 88-83, in which the over hit (171). Satou Sabally had her second straight double double, along with Teaira McCowan, with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Arike Ogunbowale led the team with 40 minutes and 25 points.

It’s Celebración Latina night!

7 PM
The Park
vs. @WashMystics
@IONWNBA
https://t.co/yZ6hOHwdlt #VoltUp pic.twitter.com/r2D04p2EgM
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) July 28, 2023

Betting Trends

Washington Mystics are 2-3 in their last 5 games.
Dallas Wings are 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Washington Mystics are 4-6 in their last 10 games.
Dallas Wings are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
Mystics ATS Record: 11-12-0
Mystics Overall O/U Record: 9-13-1
Wings Overall ATS Record: 11-11-1
Wings Overall O/U Record: 11-12-0
Mystics are 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.
Mystics are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games.
Wings are 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.
Wings are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
Mystics O/U is 7-3 in the last 10 games.
Wings O/U is 5-5 in the last 10 games.

Head-To-Head Stats: Mystics vs. Wings

The Season series is split 1-1
Both matchups hit the UNDER (161, 149)
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups: 166
Mystics average points vs. Wings last 10 games: 84
Wings average points vs Mystics last 10 games: 82
Mystics average points last 10 games: 88
Wings average points last 10 games: 87
Washington ranks 7th in Offensive Rating (102.5)
Dallas ranks 3rd in Offensive Rating (107.5)
Washington Points Per Game: 81.9 (6th)
Dallas Points Per Game: 85.8 (3rd)
Washington Rebounds Per Game: 33.1 (10th)
Dallas Rebounds Per Game: 39.5 (1st)
Washington ranks 3rd in Defensive Rating (100)
Dallas ranks 7th in Defensive Rating (103.4)
Washington Opponent Points Per Game: 79.9
Dallas Opponent Points Per Game: 82.6
Washington Net Rating: 2.4 (5th)
Dallas Net Rating: 4.0 (4th)

Status alert: Elena Delle Donne (ankle) out at least 3 more games.
— Underdog WNBA (@Underdog__WNBA) July 25, 2023

Injuries

Washington Mystics

Elena Delle Donne, Forward (OUT): Ankle
Ariel Atkins, Guard (OUT)
Shakira Austin, Center (OUT): Hip
Krisi Toliver, Guard (OUT): Foot

Dallas Wings

Lou Lopez Senechal, Guard (OUT): Knee
Diamond DeShields, Guard (OUT): Knee

Prediction

I promise, there is a method to my madness here. The Series between Dallas and Washington is split 1-1, in which the under hit both games (161,149). However, we cannot ignore the fact Dallas has hit four straight overs. In the last ten games, both teams are averaging nearly 90 points a game, and Washington hit the over two out of their last three games. The Wings play at a high tempo and dropped 107 points against Minnesota on July 12th. In the last three games, the Wings scored 98 points twice, and Washington 92 and 87 in the last four games.

In the last five games, the Mystics hit over 165.5 points three times, against the Lynx, Liberty, and Storm. Dallas hit over 165.5 points in four straight games and are 5-5 in their last ten games. With both team's recent trend of high offensive scoring, I like the over here. The Wings rank first in rebounding, which allows them to score a high number of second chance points. The Mystics shot 38 percent from the three last game. Even with injuries, there are heavy hitters on both sides.

Chicago Sky -4.5 (-120)

The Seattle Storm have lost 10 straight games and haven't won a single matchup in a month. Seattle commanded a 15-point lead against New York; however, the Liberty were able to escape with a win. MVP candidate, Jewell Loyd continued her dominance last game, scoring 32 points, on (9-23 shooting). Center, Ezi Magbegor had a double double against the Liberty, and three straight games with points in double figures. Over their ten-game skid, Seattle covered the spread four times, and the over hit five times. Seattle ranks last in field goal percentage (40) and near last in points per game.

The Chicago Sky are fifth in the Eastern Conference, at 9-14, and lost their matchup 107-95, against the Las Vegas Aces. In their last ten, Chicago is 4-6, and had an easy win over Seattle, 90-75, on July 22nd. In their last matchup, both Kahleah Copper Marina Mabrey had points in double figures. Jewell Loyd was held to 2-11 shooting, and 12 points last game against Chicago.

Ok, this is just getting SILLY pic.twitter.com/jr9RMufX7y
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) July 23, 2023

Betting Trends

Seattle Storm are 0-5 in their last 5 games.
Chicago Sky are 1-4 in their last 5 games.
Seattle Storm are 0-10 in their last 10 games.
Chicago Sky are 4-6 in their last 10 games.
Storm ATS Record: 12-10-1
Storm Overall O/U Record: 12-11-0
Sky Overall ATS Record: 12-9-2
Sky Overall O/U Record: 10-13-0
Storm are 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.
Storm are 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games.
Sky are 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games.
Sky are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games.
Storm O/U is 5-5 in the last 10 games.
Sky O/U is 5-5 in the last 10 games.

Head-To-Head Stats: Storm vs. Sky

The Sky defeated the Storm 90-75, on July 22nd.
The matchup hit the Over (165)
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups: 168
Storm average points vs. Sky last 10 games: 85
Sky average points vs Storm last 10 games: 83
Storm average points last 10 games: 78
Sky average points last 10 games: 79
Seattle ranks 12th in Offensive Rating (96.8)
Chicago ranks 9th in Offensive Rating (99.3)
Seattle Points Per Game: 78.3 (10th)
Chicago Points Per Game: 78.3 (10th)
Seattle Rebounds Per Game: 33.7 (9th)
Chicago Rebounds Per Game: 34.1 (7th)
Seattle ranks 9th in Defensive Rating (106.6)
Chicago ranks 8th in Defensive Rating (104.7)
Seattle Opponent Points Per Game: 86.2
Chicago Opponent Points Per Game: 82.5
Seattle Net Rating: -9.5 (12th)
Chicago Net Rating: -5.5 (9th)

Injuries

Rebekah Gardner (foot) likely to miss rest of season.
— Underdog WNBA (@Underdog__WNBA) July 27, 2023

Seattle Storm

None

Chicago Sky

Rebekah Garnder, Guard (OUT): Knee
Isabelle Harrison, Forward (OUT): Knee

Prediction

Seattle is the middle of a dreadful ten game losing streak, and I want to say this is the game it will stop. However, I am full fading Seattle, in which they've lost all ten games by an average of eleven points. Last matchup, Seattle couldn't cover the -2 spread against Chicago, and lost by 15 points. The Storm are the worst team in the league, and both teams rank near last in offensive and defensive rating. Chicago has been streaky all season, losing four in a row before their last win against Seattle. The Storm did cover the spread against the Liberty; however, I'm taking Chicago -4.5 here at home. The Sky are 12-9-2 against the spread this season and covered in two straight games.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles. Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

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WNBA Picks: Daily Betting Odds & Stats

Sara Jane Gamelli — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 21:47:56 +0000

WNBA best betting trends, odds, stats, and predictions for Wednesday, July 26th.

Written & edited by:

Sara Jane Gamelli

Tonight, we have one game on the WNBA slate today, The Washington Mystic (12-10, 4-6 Away) vs. the Minnesota Lynx (10-13, 5-8 Home). In this article, I will break down all the stats, betting odds, head-to-head stats, and my best straight and prop bet predictions. The matchup will begin at 8 PM, at Target Center, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The contest will air on NBA TV. If you are looking for the best betting odds, stats and analysis, here is information to know.

On Wednesdays, we ball

Anything can happen as the 5th seed, @WashMystics takes on the 7th seed @minnesotalynx at 8pm/ET on @NBATV #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/VBBBhuPvrr
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 26, 2023

^{Odds courtesy of Fan Duel Sportsbook}

Washington Mystics vs. Minnesota Lynx

Total: 159.5 (-112)
Favored: Minnesota Lynx -3.5 (-110)
Minnesota Lynx money line: -170

Washington Mystics Betting Trends

Washington Mystics are 2-3 in?their last?5 games.
Washington Mystics are 4-6 in their last 10 games.
Mystics Overall ATS Record:?10-11-0
Mystics Overall O/U Record: 8-12-1
Mystics are 3-2 ATS?in their last?5 games.
Mystics are 6-4 ATS?in their last?10 games.
Mystics O/U is?3-2 in the last?5 games.
Mystics O/U is?6-4?in the last?10 games.
WAS ATS won last 10 games:? Phoenix (-3), New York (+10, Seattle (-4.5), Indiana (+1), Atlanta (-5), New York (+7).
Washington ranks 7th in Offensive Rating (102.1)
Washington ranks T2nd in Defensive Rating (99.2)
Washington ranks 7th in Points Per Game (81.5)
Washington opponent Points Per Game (79.1)

Minnesota Lynx Betting Trends

Minnesota Lynx are 1-4 in?their last?5 games.
Minnesota Lynx are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
Lynx Overall ATS Record:?11-10-1
Lynx Overall O/U Record: 10-12-0
Lynx are 0-4-1 ATS?in their last?5 games.
Lynx are 5-4-1 ATS?in their last?10 games.
Lynx O/U is?3-2 in the last?5 games.
Lynx O/U is?7-3?in the last?10 games.
MN ATS won last 10 games:? Seattle (-4), Seattle (+3), Phoenix (+1.5), Indiana (-2), Phoenix (-5)
Minnesota ranks 8th in Offensive Rating (99.9)
Minnesota ranks 11th in Defensive Rating (107.5)
Minnesota ranks 8th in Points Per Game (79.2)
Minnesota opponent Points Per Game (85.2)

The last 15 seconds of Lynx-Mystics

Minnesota survives to win its first game of the season pic.twitter.com/0WpLqM089M
— espnW (@espnW) June 4, 2023

Head-to-head stats: Mystics vs. Lynx

Last matchup: Minnesota 80, Washington 78

Minnesota Lynx?are?1-0 ATS?vs.?Washington Mystics.
Minnesota Lynx?are?1-0 vs.?Washington Mystics.
In 1 Game vs the Mystics, the Lynx won the spread:?+8 (80-78)
Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups:?156
Lynx average points vs. Mystics last 10 games:?77
Mystics average points vs Lynx last 10 games:?79
Lynx average points last 10 games:?84
Mystics average points last 10 games:?88

Injuries

Washington Mystics

Ariel Atkins: OUT (Ankle)
Kristi Toliver: OUT (Foot)
Shakira Austin: OUT (Hip)
Elena Delle Donne: OUT (Hip)

Jessica Shepard (illness) probable for Wednesday.
— Underdog WNBA (@Underdog__WNBA) July 25, 2023

Minnesota Lynx

Jessica Shepard: PROBABLE (illness)
Rachel Banham: OUT (Thumb)
Natalie Achonwa: OUT (Personal)

Brittney Sykes OVER 18.5 (-113)

Mystics guard, Brittney Sykes is having a career year. The 29-year-old is averaging career-highs in minutes (29.8), points (14), and rebounds per game (5.1). Sykes three-point shooting has been efficient, and she is averaging a career high 36.9 percent from beyond the arc. Overall, Brittney Sykes is averaging 14 points a game. However, with Elena Delle Donne, and Ariel Atkins out for the Mystics with injuries, Sykes has consistent minutes, and increasing shot volume.

In the last two games, the Mystics guard scored 20 plus points in back-to back games against Phoenix and New York. Sykes is averaging 19 field goal, 5 three-point, and 8 free-throw attempts in the last two matchups. In addition, Brittney averages 33 minutes a game, and hit over 18.5 points four of the six games in July.

In Washingtons only game against Minnesota, Skyes scored 8 points in 28 minutes, and shot 3-10 from the field. Overall, Brittney Skyes has shown she can carry this team through injuries. In July, she had 23 points against the Mercury, 29 points versus the Liberty, 26 against Seattle, and 29 versus the Fever. Although her points were down in game 1 against Minnesota, Skyes is playing high minutes, has an increased shot volume. Minnesota ranks 11th in defensive rating, and I think Sykes should hit over 18.5 points tonight.

Napheesa Collier OVER 7.5 rebounds (-128)

Lynx Foward, Napheesa Collier is averaging 21.7 points per game (career high) and 7.8 rebounds this season. The 26-year-old hit over 7.5 for three games straight and grabbed 9 boards in Minnesota's only matchup with Washington. The Mystics have Myisha Hines-Allen and Tianna Hawkins in the frontcourt; however, they are missing size with Elena Delle Donne and Shakira Austin out for tonight's game.

Through the month of July, Collier has hit over 7.5 rebounds 6 out of the 9 games. In fact, the Lynx forward had a double double, 12 points and 12 rebounds against the Phoenix Mercury. Minnesota ranks 6th in rebounds (34.5), and Washington ranks 10th (33.2). I like Napheesa over 7.5 rebounds tonight.

OVER 159.5 (-108)

In the only matchup of the season, the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Washington Mystics, 80-78, in which Tiffany Mitchell scored a last second bucket. Both teams respectively rank 7th, and 8th in offensive ratings. In the last five games, the Mystics hit the over three times, and the Lynx only once. Although the average total in their 10 matchups is 156, both Minnesota and Washington are averaging 84 and 88 points the last ten games. Both the Mystics and Lynx are 6-4 in totals the last ten games. Additionally, Jessica Shepard is available to play for The Lynx tonight. I like the over here.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles.?Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

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The post WNBA Picks: Daily Betting Odds & Stats appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Jaylen Brown agrees to Five-Year Contract with the Celtics.

Sara Jane Gamelli — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:42:55 +0000

Jaylen Brown signs a five-year supermax extension with the Boston Celtics worth $304 million. It will be the richest contract in NBA history. We will break down the contract, and how it will affect the future betting odds for Boston.

July 25, 2023

Written and Edited by:

Sara Jane Gamelli

After weeks of speculation and negotiation, Boston Celtics Star, Jaylen Brown has signed a five-year extension, worth $304 million. According to Shams Charania, of the Athletic, the contract will be the richest in NBA history. Brown, 26, is a two-time NBA All-Star, and will enter his eighth season, all with the Celtics.

BREAKING: Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has agreed to a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension with the franchise, per sources. This is the richest deal in NBA history, negotiated by agent Jason Glushon.

Fully guaranteed, with a trade kicker. No player option. pic.twitter.com/MQ6NKILY8Q
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 25, 2023

Jaylen Brown is coming off one of the best seasons in his career. Last year, Brown averaged a career-high 26.6 Points, 6.9 Rebounds, and 35.9 minutes. In 67 games played, Jaylen Brown averaged career-highs in Field Goal Percentage (49.1), and Free-Throw Percentage (76.5). Since his 2016 NBA debut, Brown led the Celtics to seven straight postseasons, including a Finals appearance vs. the Golden State Warriors, in 2022. The Celtics and Brown have yet to bring home banner 18, however, this extension will give the Celtics the best opportunity to do so.

Out of the 26.6 Points Per Game, two-pointers accounted for 57.8 percent of Brown's shots, and three-pointers for 27.4 percent. That includes free-throws, which contributed 14.8 percent of his total points. The Boston Celtics will need Brown to fine tune his three-point shot, after averaging a career-low in three-point percentage (33.8). Given over fifty percent of his shots are taken from the two, perhaps the addition of Kristaps Porzingis will open the floor, and provide more scoring opportunities for Jaylen Brown.

In seven seasons with the C's, Jaylen Brown averages 17.9 Points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Over his tenure, the 26-year-old has a 36.5 three-point, and 47.6 field-goal percentage.

Overshadowed by Jayson Tatum at times, Brown has certainly made his mark in Celtics History. Brown currently ranks 17th on the all-time Celtics points leaders (8,428), right behind Tatum at 15 (9,865). In addition, Brown ranks 5th all-time in 3-pointers made, (883), and 11th in career playoff points scored (1,911). Along with Tatum and Kevin Garnett, Brown ranks 8th in all-time playoff steals leaders. After taking in all these statistics, it's safe to say Jaylen Brown is an important part of Celtics leadership and history.

Estimated Contract Extension

According to spotrac, Jaylen Brown is projected to average an annual $60 million AAV. The contract is said to be fully guaranteed, will not have a player option, and will include a trade kicker. The no player is great for the Celtics, meaning Brown can't opt out, and the Celtics will have to pay him a bonus, if traded with the kicker. It Let's take a look at the estimated contract numbers and details.

Contract: 5 yr(s)/ $303,734,893 | Average Salary: $60, 746,979

Team	Age	Salary
GTD at Sign	27	$303,734,893
2024-2024	27	$52,368,085
2025-2026	28	$56,557,532
2025-2027	29	$60,746,979
2027-2028	30	$64,936,425
2028-2029	31	$69,125,872
2029-UFA	-	-
Estimated amounts	-	-

^{All stats courtesy of sportrac.}

Jaylen Brown will earn more in the final year of his supermax contract than the Boston Celtics starting five -- Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins -- have earned in their 2008 championship year COMBINED pic.twitter.com/gGl8jR8vaD
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 25, 2023

Future Boston Celtics Championship Odds

_{^{*Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook*}}

The Boston Celtics will reunite stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, in hopes of multiple championship title runs. Tatum, the third overall pick in 2017, has developed into a superstar, alongside, Jaylen Brown. Tatum is eligible for a $318 super max in 2024, and both Tatum and Brown have led Boston to six straight playoff appearances together. It's important to note, both players experienced playoffs runs in their rookie seasons. In Browns rookie season, the Celtics lost to the Cavaliers in the Conference Finals. In five seasons, Brown and Tatum have led the Celtics to three Eastern Conference Finals, the Semi Finals against Milwaukee, and the Finals against Golden State.

The extension of Jaylen Brown will fuel the Celtics with two of the best players, who are both well under the age of thirty. With the departure of Grant Williams and Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown will have a bigger impact on this organization more than ever, including leadership. In fact, the 2023 Brown-Tatum duo averaged 28.89 points, which is 7th all-time, behind Wilt Chamberlain and Paul Arizin. The 2023 season surpassed Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving.

How the singing of Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis affects the odds.

While Boston has fallen short in the playoffs, Head Coach, Joe Mazzulla, entering his second year, will have Brown and Tatum at a young age. I truly believe Kristaps Porzingis, who was acquired in a trade from Washington, will be a great fit for the Celtics. He provides Boston with a double big man lineup (Consisting of Williams and Horford). In addition, Kristaps is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, in which he averaged 23 points, and 1.5 blocks per a game. Robert Williams has been seen developing a shot this off season, and the post-game has been absent between him and Al Horford. Along with the post-game, Porzingis gives the Celtics extra size, perimeter and low-post offense.

Porzingis, who is a three-point thread (35.8 percent), will help open up the court, and allow Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to expand their offensive and post-up game. An extra threat on the perimeter could potentially open up doors for Brown and Tatum to elevate their game and attack the basket. This would be huge, as two-pointers accounted for 57 percent of Brown's scoring last season.

With the Big 3, Brown and Tatum will have more opportunities with kick outs, pick and rolls, screens, and decision making. The Celtics lost defensive stars Grant Williams, Marcus Smart, and drafted Jordan Walsh in this year's draft. By losing those two players, Brown will have to play smart in crucial situations, and have that physical toughness. The addition of the big 3 brings a new level and dimension of offense on this team. Porzingis officially joins the elite duo, who are the"(Clutch Points).

The Boston Celtics certainly can remain hopefully with the resigning of Jaylen Brown. Overall, Brown is one of the best wings in the NBA, a reliable scorer, who's excellent at attacking the basket. With less depth on this roster, Brown will be forced to fix errors in dribbling, passing, and will have to play elite on both sides of the ball. Their odds are second to the Denver Nuggets, and I expect Boston to be one of the biggest threats in the East this year. With the new CBA, it's title or bust for Boston in the upcoming years.

Stay tuned for more NBA headlines and betting related articles. Click here for more NBA future betting strategies.

Sara Jane is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, Journalist, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

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New York Liberty: Sabrina Ionescu & Breanna Stewart talk Success and Chemistry.

Sara Jane Gamelli — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 00:59:51 +0000

7/23/2023- The New York Liberty defeated the Indiana Fever 101-83, and I had the opportunity to briefly talk with Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart post-game.

July 24, 2023

Written By:

Sara Jane Gamelli

The New York Liberty made history against the Indiana Fever on Sunday. They were the first team to ever score 44 points in any given first quarter in WNBA History.

The Liberty were on a different level in the first half

69.7% FG%
WNBA-record 44 points in the first quarter pic.twitter.com/J0gVYQe5xY
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 23, 2023

No, Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart didn't lead the way, however I had the chance to catch up with them post-game. They both were extremely humble, and gave their insight on the team's success, and what the Liberty need to do, now that the season is halfway over.

Breanna Stewart, 28, is in the first year of her contract with the New York Liberty. Stewart, known as "Stewie," was a 2x WNBA Champion with the Seattle Storm. The former No. 1 pick has New York roots and is back in her home state. In Sunday's game, Breanna Stewart had 11 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and shot 4-11 from the field.

"I'm not sure what we shot from for that quarter, but it was incredible, and everybody was playing free and being comfortable—people were shooting confidently and also knowing, that's our goal," said Breanna Stewart on her team making WNBA history.

With 3:42 to go in the first-quarter, Fever rookie, Aliyah Boston caught a flagrant foul type 1, after Stewart took an elbow to the face. Aliyah Boston and Breanna Stewart have two things in common: They both were a former No. 1 overall draft pick, and they both won a championship at the collegiate level. "Stewie" spoke on the incident following the flagrant.

"[I mean] I just caught an elbow, things like that happen."

Stewart offered some encouraging words for the Fever Center, and advice about being a top WNBA pick.

"Taking one day at a time—enjoy all the moments, enjoy the struggles, because this is a journey, and [you know] —you're gonna continue to build with an Indiana Fever franchise, that's only getting better." Breanna Stewart on her advice as a rookie and what the future holds for Aliyah Boston.

KT Stewie Making it happen for the Libs pic.twitter.com/GywfliTfds
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) July 23, 2023

After the win on Sunday, The Liberty are 16-5, and stand first in the Eastern Conference. With that said, New York already surpassed their record from 2022-2023, and the second half of the season has started. The Liberty are the second-best team, and only one team stands in there way, the Las Vegas Aces. What separates the Aces from the Liberty, or even the Connecticut Sun, is their net and offensive rating. While the Liberty rank second in the league in net rating (7.4), the Aces have them beat at a stellar 19.2. In addition, Las Vegas has an offensive rating of 114.1, while the Liberty have a 107.8 offensive rating. Las Vegas had four All-Stars represent the organization, and is chasing the best record in league history, held by the Phoenix Suns in 2014.

When I asked about Stewart's confidence in her team, she confidently smiled and stated, " We're now in like the second half of the season— I know that we wanna continue to get better. What we did in the first half is great—we're taking it one game at a time."

When asked about the Las Vegas Aces, Stewie humbly talked about her team, and how they plan to move forward, knowing the Aces stand in their way. "Obviously everyone's talking about Vegas, and we'll see them in the Commisioner's Cup, and in August, but making sure that [you know] we continue to do our due diligence for everybody and focus on that. "

While acknowledging the talent in the WNBA, Stewart stated the importance of doing their homework and staying to themselves. "If we continue to look at ourselves, and continue to get better that way, then the rest is for everyone else."

Breanna Stewart also opened up about teammate, Betnijah Laney, who had a career-high 22 points last game, and her playstyle. "I've known her for a long time, like since we were 14 or 16—so to be back with her, know that she never stops—I'm looking for her, she's looking for me, and just continuing to build that chemistry, because she gets open— she's open a lot, especially in the corners. "

Breanna Stewart on hard work and how it pays off on the court, " I think it's more like trusting the process and continuing to kind of stick with it."

Sabrina Ionescu on Sunday's game, rest days, and the rest of the season.

Sabrina Ionescu, 25, is a two-time All-Star, and just broke the all-time NBA and WNBA three-point contest record with 37. Ionescu, drafted first overall in 2016, has a different role now that her, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones formed a "superteam."

It's giving 4PT shot from All-Star @sabrina_i20 is TUFF pic.twitter.com/bfT8TUPiuY
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) July 23, 2023

When asked about the team's success moving forward, Sabrina was very adamant about trusting her teammates, specifically the bench. "To have players come in off the bench and hit—hitting shots and playing in rhythm—it's huge for us as a team, and for them themselves, to just continue to build confidence.

Ionescu also mentioned the importance of gameplay and how the Liberty were able to play so effective against the Fever. " We're building chemistry—we were able to play to each other's strengths and use the gravity that we have— not letting defenses really dictate what we wanna do—and we were able to do that tonight. "

Now that the season is halfway over, New York has to lock in for 19 regular season games before the start of the playoffs. Sabrina was able to shed light on her rest days, and how the team mentally and physically prepares for the next game. "You know, normally we're in here trying to get extra shots up—understanding what the schedule looks ahead, means [you know] tomorrow is off, and everyone's gotta get their feet and take time to recover—we gotta stay fresh and locked in to be able to play for 40 minutes because we play at such a fast pace."

I specifically asked Sabrina about her ability to stay humble and stay disciplined following her historic All-Star weekend. Ionescu confidently stated, "I know what I'm capable of—capable of doing [you know] every single night, and I trust the work that I've put in." "Whether it's tonight or games in the future, I know that I'm gonna have to hit shots for us to continue to win basketball games."

The New York Liberty will look to build on their success tomorrow against the Seattle Storm, at home.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and basketball related articles.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, Journalist, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

The post New York Liberty: Sabrina Ionescu & Breanna Stewart talk Success and Chemistry. appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Kingdom Summer League Week 5 Recap

Sara Jane Gamelli — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 20:25:32 +0000

Kingdom Summer Week 5 Scores, Analysis and Review.

July 24, 2023

Written by: Victor Dandridge

Edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

Week 5 recap

Future 96, Bexley Car Care 87

Future broke out of the winless ranks by defeating Bexley Car Care, 96-87. They outscored Bexley 57-45 in the second half, supported by Dennis Asoro's 20 points, and James Manns 19 points, and balanced attack. Following the loss, Bexley Car Care lost a significant chance to secure a spot in the upcoming playoffs. Corey Benton had a breakout performance, scoring 35 points for Bexley Car Care. Bexley Car Care stands at 2-3 while Future descends to 1-4.

Player of the Game: Dennis Asoro.

Hype 614 101, Buckeye Prep 92

Hype 614 kept their playoff chances alive, after a win over Buckeye Prep. Jamel Morris was a huge force, hitting shot for shot the entire game. With the victory, Hype ended Buckeye Prep's hopes of making this year’s playoffs. Jamel Morris finished with 36 points and 8 triples. Along with Morris, Tyrel Jackson (25 pts) and Travis Easterly (21 pts) were two big factors for the Hype. Furthermore, Jared Sullinger (30 pts) and Evan Ravenal (27 pts) were big factors for the Buckeye Prep. The league is entering the final week of the season, and Hype 614 moves to 2-3 with three remaining teams. Buckeye Prep falls to 1-4.

Player of the Game: Jamel Morris

Committed to my Craft 100, McGlade Max Pro 99

This was the game of the week, which was an absolute barn burner. The defending champions, had a hard-fought thrilling win over McGlade Max Pro. The Little General (Travis Trice) led the team and dropped a sensational 37 points. In addition, Committed to my Craft crawled back from a 14-point deficit in the second half. Former OSU Buckeye, Lenzell Smith (28 pts) and Brett McKnight (21 pts) powered Max Pro, and Trice scored 22 second half points. Unfortunately, a turnover by Max Pro cost them the game with 5 seconds remaining. Up by two points, Trice sank 2 free throws which negated Lenzelle Smith's buzzer three-point shot. With the victory, Committed to my Craft moves to 4-1 and McGlade Max Pro drops to 3-2.

Player of the Game: Travis Trice

4DEEP 107, Reitano SportsCenter 98

In a highly anticipated matchup, 4DEEP continues to show why they are the cream of the crop. This game featured the top players in the league, Trey Burke (4DEEP) and Darius Bazely, of the Brooklyn Nets (Reitano SportsCenter). They started out hot, and this was a game of runs. Led by Burke, 4DEEP commanded a 25-9 first quarter lead, where Penha led with 18 points scored in the first half. 4DEEP held a 50-33 halftime lead, before the game got interesting.

Reitano SportsCenter closed the gap by 5 points, thanks to Darius Bazeley, Terry Durham, Paul McMillan IV and Tre Baumgardner. However, the play of Morgan Safford (22 pts) and Trey Burke (21 pts) was too much. Stafford and Burke combined for 43 second half points and powered 4 Deep to the win. Durham and Baumgardner hit back-to-back shots, and Morgan Stafford, of Miami University hit threes.

Trey Burke, a crafty, NBA Veteran, dished out 12 assists and scored vital back-to back buckets, to quell Reitano's last run. The 4DEEP trio of Safford (33pts), Burke (31 pts) and Penha (29 pts) combined for 93 of the teams 107 points. Reitano was led by Terry Durham (25 pts), Paul McMillan IV (22 pts), Tre Baumgardner (20 pts) and Darius Bazely (19 pts). With the win, 4DEEP secures the one seed, and remains undefeated at 5-0. Reitano SportsCenter now stands at 2-3.

Player of the Game: Trey Burke

(Photo from Getty Images)

Kingdom League Standings

*4DEEP: 5-0
*Committed to my Craft: 4-1
McGlade Max Pro: 3-2
Reitano SportsCenter: 2-3
Hype 614: 2-3
Bexley Car Care: 2-3
Buckeye Prep: 1-4
Future: 1-4

*Indicates confirmed playoff entry.

The post Kingdom Summer League Week 5 Recap appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

The New York Liberty make WNBA HISTORY

Sara Jane Gamelli — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 18:14:25 +0000

The Liberty roll past the Indiana Fever, 101-83, and New York covers the 13-point spread.

July 24, 2023

Written and edited by:

Sara Jane Gamelli

Betnijah Laney had herself a career day, and helped the New York Liberty made NBA History Sunday at the Barclays Center. Laney finished with a career-high 22 points and shot 3-5 from the three-point. In 30 minutes on the court, Laney had some impressive looks beyond the arc, in addition to some easy lay ins at the basket.

Laney had some luck from her niece, JJ, who sat courtside for the game.

Image taken by Sara J. Gamelli. Left, Betnijah Laney; Middle, Head Coach Sandy Brondello, Right, Jonquel Jones.

Betnijah Laney gave fans some insight to why she performed so well against the Fever.

"Well, I did have a conversation with one of my coaches and some of my teammates just about today, and then I had JJ sitting court side, so that helped a lot."

(Photo by Michelle Farsi/Getty Images)

When asked about her consistency, Laney simple stated:

"Just being confident in my shot, taking it when it's there."

Betnijah Laney shot 69 percent from the field, 60 percent from the 3-point, had 1 steal and 1 block.

The Liberty made history Sunday, scoring 44 points in the first quarter, which is a new WNBA record. By the first quarter, the Liberty had six made three-pointers, and fourteen interior points. Their previous first quarter high was 36 points scored against the Indiana Fever back in May. During the post-game conference, former WNBA Coach of the Year, Sandy Brondello had some comments after her team made WNBA history.

"Look, we've been talking about just getting more ball movement and not forcing the early ones if it's not a great shot, and I think this team is just buying in to how we want to play and we have success when you go out there and have success doing it the right way. I think that's nice. 44, I mean, I was just a spectator after a while. I'm like, "Okay, this looks pretty good."

4-time All Star, Jonquel Jones, is coming off her second straight double-double, with 18 points, 11 rebounds, 57 percent three-point shooting. In New Yorks previous win against Washington, Jones had 27 points, and 11 rebounds. All-Star rookie, Aliyah Boston fought in the paint all afternoon against Jones, and ultimately ran into foul trouble. Boston acquired three fouls in the first quarter, which resulted in a flagrant foul against Breanna Stewart.

It’s rocking in here!!

The Liberty lead the Fever 67-46 at the HALF!

We had Liberty OVER and ML today!

Jones 3-4 3PT
Johannès 3-4 3PT
New York has 12 3-Pointers made! #wnba pic.twitter.com/kMopjO7rgP
— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) July 23, 2023

Overall, the Liberty had 20 second chance points, including 8 offensive rebounds for Jones. Second chance opportunities opened up three-point shots for Courtney Vandersloot, who has the most 10-assist games in WNBA single season. Sabrina Ionescu made 2 three pointers, including a 25 foot three-pointer jumper in the third quarter, assisted from Vandersloot.

Jones opened up about the game and their success as a team.

"I think we sometimes slow down a little bit too much and try to play a little bit too methodical--- Our passing and our strength work, we're a transition teams that moves the ball quickly, and makes teams kind of get back, whether they score or miss the shot ----- "Playing the way that we played to get the lead, and not just kind of slowing down----- " It's pretty hard to play a perfect game, but I think we handle it very well, and definitely had the right type of mindset and voice."

The Liberty rank first in the WNBA in three-point percentage (38.9), and three-pointers made (10.9). New York additionally made 17 threes as a team and shot over 50 percent from the floor. We often saw mismatches for Breanna Stewart, wide open threes, along with strong interior offense for the Liberty.

Sunday's game was an overall collaborative effort from the Liberty. Laney, Stewart, Jones, Ionescu, Thorton, and Johannes all had points in double figures. Johannes had several open looks, and turnovers, which led to made threes. It was her best 3-point shooting day of the month, in which Marine shot 57 percent. After the game, Johannes gave her post game thoughts:

"I'm just trying to stop overthinking. like I said earlier, just I know everyone trusts me, I have to find a way [to like] have fun again."

On the betting side, the Liberty won the money line [-900 on Draft Kings] covered the -13.5-point spread, and the over hit at 184 total points. It was New York's fourth 100-point game of the season, and their Over/Under ratio is 13-7-0 this season. Both Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu hit the under for their prop bets. We saw Brenna Stewart make mostly low and high post shots.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles. Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, Journalist, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.

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2023: WNBA All-Stars Odds & Stats.

Sara Jane Gamelli — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 21:50:55 +0000

Twitter: @GGirlSports.

Tonight, marks the annual WNBA All-Star game, led by Team Stewart and Team Wilson.? Team Wilson won last year 134-112, and Team Stewart is looking for revenge.? The team captains include Breanna Stewart, of the New York Liberty, and A'ja Wilson, of the Las Vegas Aces.? It's been an exciting weekend for the WNBA, including the skills challenge and 3-Point contest. Sabrina Ionescu, of the New York Liberty, set an all-time NBA and WNBA record with 37 points.? Both Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum, of the Las Vegas Aces, were the winners of the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge. If you're betting on the All-Star game, it will be held at 8:30 PM EST, located at Michelob ULTRA Arena, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.? Furthermore, the matchup will be aired on ABC.? If you are looking for the best betting odds, stats and analysis, here is information to know.

2023 WNBA All-Star Game Odds

*Odds courtesy of DraftKings*

Team Stewart: +180
Team Wilson: -210?
Over/Under: 249.5 (-110)
Spread: Team Stewart: +5.5 (-110), Team Wilson: -5.5 (-110)

Team Stewart

Captain: Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty

Player	Team
Breanna Stewart? ? ?	New York Liberty? ? ? ? ? ? ? ??
Brittney Griner? ?	Phoenix Mercury
Jewell Loyd? ? ? ?	Seattle Storm
Satou Sabally? ?	Dallas Wings
Nneka Ogwumike? ? ? ? ?	Los Angeles Sparks
Courtney Vandersloot	New York Liberty
Sabrina Ionescu	New York Liberty
Ezi Magbegor	Seattle Storm
Napheesa Collier	Minnesota Lynx
Kelsey Mitchell	Indiana Fever
Kahleah Copper	Chicago Sky

Starters

Breanna Stewart- Forward, New York Liberty- Captain.?

PPG: 23.1?| FG:?47.7% | 3 PT:?41.1 %?| FT: 86.3 % |?REB: 9.8 |?AST: 4.1 |?STL: 1.7 |?BLK: 1.4 | TO:?1.9

Breanna Stewart is easily one of the best basketball players in the world.? She shocked the league when she left Seattle for New York in free agency and is having a career season. So far, Stewart is averaging a career-high in points, rebounds, and assists.? In addition, the Liberty have the second-best record in the WNBA, and Breanna can do it all.? Stewart is a 2x WNBA Champion, 2x WNBA Finals MVP, MVP in 2018, and a 5x All-Star.? "Stewie " is in the prime of her career and is playing at an elite level.?

Brittney Griner- Center, Phoenix Mercury

PPG: 19.5?| FG:?60.6 % | 3 PT:?20 %?| FT: 77.4 % |?REB: 6.6 |?AST: 1.7 |?STL: 0.6 |?BLK: 1.9 | TO: 2.4

It's great to see Brittney Griner back, and she is having a fantastic season.? Standing at 6 foot 9, Griner gives Team Stewart the edge on height and size.? Griner is averaging nearly 20 points per game and is shooting a career-high 60.6 percent from the field this season.? Although Brittney Griner isn't much of a three-point shooter, she is a force inside.? The Mercury center recorded the first dunk of the WNBA season, and the 25th of her career just a few days ago. I admire her strength, and Griner will be a force in the paint, offensively, and on the glass.? I expect Griner to be a defensive presence tonight.

Jewell Loyd- Guard, Seattle Storm

PPG:? 25.7 | FG: 39.4?% | 3 PT:?40.5 %?| FT: 87.3 % |?REB: 4.5 |?AST: 3.2 |?STL: 0.9 |?BLK: 0.6 | TO: 3.1

Jewell Loyd is in her ninth season with the Seattle Storm and leads the WNBA in points scored (25.7).? With the retirement of Sue Bird, and the departure of Breanna Stewart, the #1 overall pick is certainly showcasing her talents.? Loyd is a five-time All-Star, however, was ruled out with a foot injury against the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday.? If Loyd is able to suit up, Team Stewart is getting a player who is averaging career highs in points, and 3-point percentage.? Although the Storm are 4-16, Loyd is playing at a high level, surrounded by a ton of youth.? Although Loyd's field goal percentage is down, she gets to the free-throw line, and can hit her threes.

Satou Sabally- Forward, Dallas Wings

PPG:? 17.5 | FG: 42.3 % | 3 PT:?34 %?| FT: 87.8 % |?REB: 9.2 |?AST: 3.5 |?STL: 1.6 |?BLK: 0.3 | TO: 2.9

Satou Sabally, is in her third season in the WNBA, all with the Dallas Wings.? The Dallas forward stands at 6 foot 4 and adds to an already loaded frontcourt on Team Stewart.? Sabally is a 2x All-Star, and is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, minutes played, field goal and three-point percentage. In addition, Sabally is averaging 5 more rebounds than last season, and is shooting over 10 percent better from the three.? She has grown stronger to overcome injuries and has nearly averaged a double -double on a nightly basis.? Satou Sabally is extremely athletic for her size, is a fantastic rebounder, can score inside, rejects screens and attacks inside.

Nneka Ogwumike- Forward, Los Angeles Sparks

PPG: 19.8?| FG: 53.2 % | 3 PT:?32.4 %?| FT: 90.1 % |?REB: 9.6 |?AST: 2.8 |?STL: 1.6 |?BLK: 0.7 | TO: 2.4

Nneka Ogwumike is in her 12th WNBA season, all with the Los Angeles Sparks.? An WNBA Champion, 2016 MVP, and 8x All-Star, Ogwumike brings veteran leadership and size to the loaded frontcourt. Furthermore, Ogwumike is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and free-throw percentage.? In fact, Nneka may be having her best WNBA season at 33 years old.??

Key Players

Sabrina Ionescu- Guard, New York Liberty

PPG: 16.4 | FG: 39.7?% | 3 PT:?44.6 %?| FT: 88.5 % |?REB: 5.8 |?AST: 5.1 |?STL: 0.9 |?BLK: 0.3 | TO: 2.5

It's hard not to talk about Sabrina Ionescu after the performance she had last night.? Ionescu made NBA and WNBA history with 37 points in last night's three-point contest. In her fourth season with the New York Liberty, Ionescu is averaging career highs in three-point percentage.? Ionescu is on a very talented Liberty team, including Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot.? Perhaps Sabrina may be overshadowed a bit by Stewart, however, she is an incredible player. In addition, she ranks 2nd in the league in 3-pointers made (3.4) per game.? If Jewell Loyd isn't healthy to play, look for Sabrina Ionescu to step up.

Napheesa Collier- Forward, Minnesota?Linx

PPG: 21.3?| FG: 48.4 % | 3 PT:?32.9 %?| FT: 86 % |?REB: 7.7 |?AST: 2.6 |?STL: 1.7 |?BLK: 1.1 | TO: 2.4

Napheesa Collier is in her fifth season with the Minnesota Linx and is having an incredible season.? Collier ranks fourth in the league in points per game (21.3), which is her career high.? The Linx forward adds size to this roster, will be teaming up with former UConn teammate, Breanna Stewart.? Collier is having an MVP caliber season and is a big presence on the defensive side of the court (1.7 steals, 1.1 blocks).

Kahleah Copper- Guard- Chicago Sky

PPG: 17.3?| FG: 44 % | 3 PT:?41.9 %?| FT: 68.3 % |?REB:4.8 |?AST: 1.9 |?STL: 0.6 |?BLK: 0.2 | TO: 2.6

Kahleah Copper is in her 7th season with the Chicago Sky, and Copper is averaging career highs in points.? If Jewel Loyd is out with an injury, both Copper and Ionescu will be extremely important in the backcourt.? Along with Sabrina Ionescu, Copper is shooting extremely efficient from the three-point (41.9 percent)?and is averaging 17 points a game.? I absolutely think Team Stewart will need Copper's three-point shooting capabilities in the backcourt.

Team Wilson

Captain: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Player	Team
?A’ja Wilson	?Las Vegas Aces
?Chelsea Gray	?Las Vegas Aces
?Jackie Young	?Las Vegas Aces
?Aliyah Boston	?Indiana Fever
?Arike Ogunbowale	?Dallas Wings
?Kelsey Plum	?Las Vegas Aces
?Allisha Gray	?Atlanta Dream
?Alyssa Thomas	?Connecticut Sun
?Cheyenne Parker	?Atlanta Dream
?DeWanna Bonner	?Connecticut Sun
?Rhyne Howard (Replacing Elena Delle Donne)	?Atlanta Dream

Starters

A'ja Wilson- Forward, Las Vegas Aces- Captain

PPG: 19.7?| FG: 53.2 % | 3 PT:?23.5 %?| FT: 77 % |?REB:?9.3 |?AST: 2.1 |?STL: 1.1 |?BLK: 2.1 | TO: 1.5

A'ja Wilson is the captain of this team and is in her 6th season with the Las Vegas Aces.? In 6 seasons, Wilson is an WNBA Champion, 2x WNBA MVP, defensive player of the year, and 5x WNBA All-Star.? In fact, Wilson just recently won the ESPY's Best WNBA Player.? A'ja is on a superior Aces team and is one of the most dominant offensive and defensive players on the court.? Wilson stands at 6 foot 4 and is nearly averaging a double double this season.? The Aces forward is averaging career highs in blocks and field goal percentage.? Look for Wilson to stand out on both sides of the court.

Chelsea Gray- Guard, Las Vegas Aces

PPG: 14.8?| FG: 51.8 % | 3 PT:?45.5 %?| FT: 95.2 % |?REB:?3.5 | AST: 6.5 |?STL: 1.4 |?BLK: 0.5 | TO: 2.5

Chelsea Gray is in her 9th WNBA season, and 3rd with the Las Vegas Aces.? The Aces are 19-2, and Gray plays on a complete stacked WNBA roster.? The Vegas guard ranks 3rd in assists and three-point percentage, right behind teammate Jackie Young.? Chelsea is a 2x WNBA Champion, Finals MVP, First Team, Second Team, and 5x WNBA All-Star.? Gray, one of the best guards in the league, is averaging a high field goal and three-point percentage.? She is athletic when attacking the basket, has toughness, and will have no problem dishing out dimes tonight to her teammates.? In another words, Chelsea Gray is an absolute baller.?

Jackie Young- Guard, Las Vegas Aces

PPG: 19.1?| FG: 57.3 % | 3 PT:? 48.5 %?| FT: 79.7 % |?REB:?3.9 | AST: 3.8 |?STL: 1.4 |?BLK: 0.1 | TO: 1.7

The most dominant backcourt in the WNBA is comprised of Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum. In fact, all three of them are on Team Wilson in tonight's All-Star game.? Young, in her 5th season with the Las Vegas Aces, is averaging career highs in points, field goal, and three-point percentage.? Jackie Young is one of the best shooters in the WNBA, is an WNBA Champion, and 2x WNBA All-Star.? Young excels in the catch and shoot, including shooting and moving around screens.? She's incredible at reading defenses, and it will be fun to watch Chelsea Gray throw dimes to Young tonight.

Aliyah Boston- Forward, Indiana Fever

PPG: 15.4?| FG: 61 % | 3 PT:? 66.7 %?| FT: 81.6 % |?REB:?8.4 | AST: 2.3 |?STL: 1.0 |?BLK: 1.3 | TO: 1.7

As a fellow UConn fan, I really saw how special Aliyah Boston was throughout her college career, and in the Championship game against Connecticut.? Boston is in fact a rookie, and this will be her first WNBA All-Star appearance and start.? In 20 games, Aliyah Boston leads the WNBA in three-point percentage (66.7), which is incredible. ?Standing at 6 foot 5, Boston gives Team Wilson size, and is incredible on the boards, and the defensive side of the basketball. Tonight, will be exciting for the rookie, and look for Boston to make some headlines tonight, and space the floor. In addition, Boston is shooting over 60 percent from both the field and the three, something NO other player has done this season.

?Arike Ogunbowale- Guard, Dallas Wings

PPG: 21.6 | FG: 39.3?% | 3 PT:? 29.3 %?| FT: 88.5 % |?REB:?3.2 | AST: 4.8 |?STL: 1.8 |?BLK: 0.2 | TO: 2.9

Arike Ogunbowale is in her 5th season in the WNBA, and all with the Dallas Wings.? Ogunbowale is averaging over 20 points a game, and career highs in assists, blocks, steals, and free-throw percentage.? In fact, Arike is a 3x WNBA All-Star, and has a ton of athletic and finishing moves.

Key Players

Rhyne Howard- Guard, Atlanta Dream (Replaced Elena Delle Donne).?

PPG: 18.5 | FG: 43 % | 3 PT: 39.6?%?| FT: 77.4 % |?REB:?4.8 | AST: 3.5 |?STL: 1.2 |?BLK: 0.4 | TO: 1.9

Rhyne Howard, in her second season with the Atlanta Dream, will replace Elene Delle Donne, of the Washington Mystics on this year's roster. Rhyne is a 2x WNBA All-Star, Rookie of the Year, and is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, field goal and three-point percentage.? Howard could be an x-factor in his All-Star game and is entering tonight with a 32- and 43-point performance this month.? Not only is Howard a force on the offensive end, but she also plays elite defense.? In fact, Howard has 13 steals in the last 6 games played.??

Kelsey Plum- Guard, Las Vegas Aces

PPG: 19.1 | FG: 50 % | 3 PT: 37.9 %?| FT: 89.6 % |?REB:?2.6 | AST: 4.1 |?STL: 1 |?BLK: 0 | TO: 2.1

Kelsey Plum is the THIRD Aces player to be selected on Team Wilson and is one of the most popular guards in the WNBA.? Plum is in her 6th year with the Aces, after they relocated from San Antonio in 2018.? Kelsey is nearly averaging 20 points a game and is shooting a career high 50 field goal percentage.? Additionally, Plum is an WNBA Champion, 2x All-Star, and the 2022 WNBA All-Star MVP.? She also became the first player in Aces history to drop 40 points in a game, which came against the Minnesota Linx.? She can shoot the three, attack the basket, and is a great facilitator.

Overall Prediction:

The Las Vegas Aces are the reigning WNBA Champions, currently lead the WNBA in wins, and four players are on Team Wilson.? The combination of A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young is just too lethal.? Team Wilson has the better of the backcourt, and on paper it seems this team will completely dominate, like last year.? Team Stewart has some incredible players, and a strong frontcourt in Griner, Stewart, Sabally, and Ogwumike.? Jewell Loyd is coming off an injury, in which her status hasn't changed.? I like the addition of Courtney Vandersloot, who leads the WNBA in assists, and I think Ionescu will have a dominant game.? Overall, it doesn't seem fair to me, and the two teams are mismatched in my opinion. Team Wilson has the better overall talent and players.? Give me Team Wilson -5.5, OVER 249.5, or Team Wilson Money Line.??

Stay tuned for more NBA Summer League and betting related articles.?Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

For More Basketball Betting Info & Game Predictions, Follow us at @BallislifeBets.

Sara Jane is a full-time content creator,?focusing on both college basketball, the NBA, NFL, and writer of www.ebooksnet.com.?Don’t forget to follow her on Twitter/YouTube/Kick/Twitch/Instagram: @GGirlSports.

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Kingdom League Week 3 Recap

Sara Jane Gamelli — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 18:39:09 +0000

Written by Victor Dandridge

Kingdom Summer League Week 3 Re-Cap

Bexley Car Care: 104
Hype 614: 75

Bexley Car Care flexed their muscles as they powered over and through Hype 614. What started out as a close contest became a laugher by halftime. Kaleb Wesson led the way scoring 25 points from various spots on the floor. Andre Wesson added 15 points in a supporting role. Hype 614 was once again led by Desmond Claude (Xavier University) who scored 26 points. Bexley Car Care moves to 2-1 while Hype 614 falls to 1-2,

Player of the Game: Kaleb Wesson

Buckeye Prep: 117
Reitano SportsCenter: 83

Buckeye Prep was firing on all cylinders as they destroyed Reitano SportsCenter. Buckeye Prep was led in scoring by Wendell Davis (32 points) but it was the performance of Jared Sullinger that fueled the force. In his season debut Sullinger had 25 pts, 16 rebounds and 12 assists for a triple double. Outmanned and overmatched Reitano was led by Tre Baumgartner who scored 32 points. Buckeye Prep climbs out of the basement and improves to 1-2. Reitano falls to 1-2.

Player of the Game: Jared Sullinger

4DEEP: 106
McGlade Max Pro: 85

Billed as the Game of the Week it turned out to be everything but that. Trey Burke made his season debut in the Kingdom in a spectacular splash. Burke scored 28 points and dealt out 6 assists. He was backed up by CJ Penha with 22 points and the versatile Morgan Safford with 16 points and 3 steals. Simon Wheeler (Ashland University) made his debut in the Kingdom with a few amazing high-level plays as the rich got a little richer. McGlade Max Pro was led by newcomer Christian Lutete who plays professionally for Bashkimi Prizren of the Kosovo Super League, with 28 points. 4DEEP remained as the only unbeaten team moving to 3-0, while McGlade Max Pro falls 2-1.

Player of the Game: Trey Burke

Committed to my Craft: 103
Future: 78

The defending champions outscored Future 26 to 10 in the third quarter to overcome a 3 point halftime deficit. Travis Trice aka The General scored 32 points and Jd Weatherspoon Jr added 21 as Committed to my Craft continues to ramp up their performances. Future was led by Sahmi Willoughby (Marietta University) with 15 points. Committed to my Craft improves to 2-1 while Future falls to 0-3.

Player of the Game: Travis Trice

Kingdom League Standings

4DEEP: 3-0
Committed to my Craft: 2-1
McGlade Max Pro: 2-1
Bexley Car Care: 2-1
Hype 614: 1-2
Buckeye Prep: 1-2
Reitano SportsCenter: 1-2
Future: 0-3

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MYLES HERRO is a TRUE PG! Tyler Herro's little bro was a FLOOR GENERAL at MADE HOOPS Midwest Warmup!

Scott Comeau — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:04:36 +0000

Tyler Herro's youngest brother Myles Herro is coming off a strong high school season at Whitnall. And now he's leading Team Herro 16U NIKE EYBL squad. The team rolled into Chicago to play Made Hoops' Midwest Warmup. We caught Team Herro opening night where they picked up 2 victories over Team Y&R and Breakaway. Check out these highlights! Thanks to Jon and everyone at #MADEHOOPS! madehoops.com @madehoops

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The Mater Dei Vs St. Vincent-St. Mary Rematch We Got 20 Years Later

Brandon Johnson — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 22:29:52 +0000

Coach Gary McKnight And The Mater Dei Monarchs Get Their Revenge On St. Vincent-St. Mary 20 Years! Mater Dei Won 63-61 At The Chosen One Invitational. The Last Time They Played Is When LeBron James Was Still In High School.

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