The first 10 games of the 2019 season have been rough for the New York Liberty. A deeper look into the statistics creates a different narrative for a New York Liberty betting guide.
New York’s defensive struggles are obvious. Amanda Zahui B. and Tina Charles are bright spots for the team’s offense, however.
Oddsmakers for the WNBA so far this season haven’t adjusted to account for the effectiveness of the Liberty’s frontcourt duo. Bettors should take advantage when New York sports betting goes live.
New York Liberty betting guide game log
New York is 3-7 entering play on Friday, June 28. The Liberty are 4-5-1 against the spread so far this season. That line breaks down to 3-2-1 in home games and 1-3 in road games.
Games involving the Liberty have gone over the projected total six times. Those six instances break down equally between home and road games.
Those facts suggest the smart money is to take the over and bet on New York’s opponents. The statistics support that strategy.
New York struggling defensively in 2019
While the Liberty are tied for fourth in the league in steals per game average at 8.3, that’s about all the good news for New York’s defensive effort so far this season.
The Liberty are dead-last in the league in defensive rating. Opponents have scored 90 or more points in half of New York’s games so far.
Opponents are shooting nearly 45% from the field against the Liberty. New York’s turnover ratio is dead even through 10 games, as well.
Despite having one of the league’s worst defenses, the Liberty rank near the top of the league in several offensive categories. Charles and Zahui B. are two big reasons why.
Charles and Zahui B. powering New York offense
Charles and Zahui B. have averaged a combined 60 minutes per game this season. In that time, they have been an issue for opponents.
Combining their game averages produces a stat line of 30 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocked shots. Zahui B. is shooting over 50% from the field, including 40% from 3-point range.
Charles is leading the league in usage percentage. Almost a third of Liberty possessions contain a shot attempt by her.
Deeper statistical breakdown for Charles and Zahui B.
Charles is also leading the league in second-chance points per game. Almost five of her 18 points per game come off an offensive rebound.
Zahui B. is eighth in the league in efficiency rating. Charles is 15th in that category. The only other frontcourt duos in the top 15 of that category are Phoenix’s Brittney Griner/DeWanna Bonner and the Ogwumike sisters in Los Angeles.
Because of this duo’s effectiveness, New York is third in the WNBA in points in the paint and second-chance points. Those two aspects combine for 47 points per game.
Charles and Zahui B. haven’t been able to propel New York to many victories so far this season, but their ability to dominate the competition on the offensive end makes the Liberty far from anemic in that facet of the game.
Although mobile sports betting in New York won’t be legal anytime soon, legal bets will be available at the state’s casinos soon. When that ramps up, bet on the over in New York Liberty games.
