Chicago Sky
New York Liberty (-6.5, -105)
Total: 151, -110
Chicago already played a game this season; they beat Indiana on their opening night 82-64. Allie Quigley scored 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting and rookie Diamond DeShields showed everyone why she was once considered the #1 prospect in the country (Chicago took her with the #3 pick in this year’s draft) be scoring 18 points and hauling in eight rebounds. Last season, Chicago’s offense was OK but their defense was poor (87.2 ppg given up was second worst in the league and their defensive rating was third worst). While their defense is still a question in my mind, the weapons they have on offense should be able to cover some of those warts. The play of Stefanie Dolson will be hugely important and it remains to be seen if semi-positionless but freak-athlete Gabby Williams can be an impact player.
For New York, it will be a new face roaming the sidelines. Well, sort of. Katie Smith, the long time Liberty assistant coach and former WNBA great, takes over the head coaching duties with Bill Laimbeer heading to Las Vegas and she has a team with plenty of question marks. Tina Charles is a wonder, but after that is where things get dicey. Please don’t misunderstand: I have the upmost respect for Epiphanny Prince, Sugar Rodgers and Shavonte Zellous. That said, the Libs have proven to be able to navigate the regular season fine, but the playoffs have been another story. Will they be able to get over the hump finally or will their shaky-at-times offensive betray them?
This is a tough pick for me as well. I think New York wins, but give me Chicago with the points and give me the under.