Lynx open playoffs against the Liberty

New York Liberty (26-18, 13-7 Eastern Conference) at Minnesota Lynx (33-11, 20-3 Western Conference) Minneapolis; Sunday, 2 p.m. EDT LINE: Lynx -6.5; over/under is 173.5 WNBA PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Lynx host first series matchup BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Lynx host the New York Liberty to start the first round of the WNBA playoffs. New York went 2-1 against Minnesota during the regular season. The Liberty won the last regular season meeting 93-81 on Sept. 18. Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 24 points, and Olivia Miles led the Lynx with 20 points. The Lynx are 15-7 in home games. Minnesota is second in the Western Conference scoring 90.8 points while shooting 47.7% from the field. The Liberty have gone 12-10 away from home. New York ranks seventh in the WNBA with 20.8 assists per game led by Pauline Astier averaging 3.3. Minnesota makes 47.7% of its shots from the field this season, which is 2.9 percentage points higher than New York has allowed to its opponents (44.8%). New York averages 10.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.9 more makes per game than Minnesota allows. TOP PERFORMERS: Natasha Howard is averaging 14.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals for the Lynx. Miles is averaging 19.8 points and six assists over the last 10 games. Stewart is averaging 20.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Liberty. Rebecca Allen is averaging 7.8 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Lynx: 6-4, averaging 84.0 points, 33.3 rebounds, 20.9 assists, 7.4 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 83.1 points per game. Liberty: 6-4, averaging 85.5 points, 36.9 rebounds, 20.3 assists, 5.9 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 82.4 points. INJURIES: Lynx: Anastasiia Olairi Kosu: day to day (foot), Olivia Miles: day to day (calf), Emma Cechova: out for season (knee). Liberty: Breanna Stewart: day to day (knee), Jonquel Jones: day to day (ankle), Satou Sabally: out for season (head). ------ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.