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LIBERTY PLAYOFFS - 2007
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New York to Face Detroit Shock in WNBA Eastern Conference Playoffs
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The New York Liberty will return to the postseason for the eighth time in the franchise’s (and WNBA's) 11-year history. Shameka Christon, the Liberty’s leading scorer this season, scored eight of her 15 points in the final six minutes to lead the Liberty to a 58-52 victory over the Chicago Sky, awarding New York with the final postseason berth in the Eastern Conference. Janel McCarville, a Most Improved Player award candidate, added 10 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter as well.
After a strong start this season, the Liberty went on a seven-game losing streak in July, dropping their record to 10-15. New York rebounded in August, winning six of nine games including its final three contests, finishing the season with a 16-18 record.
Next up for the Liberty is the Detroit Shock, their opponent in the best-of-three series. The defending WNBA champions, who finished the season with the league's best record, are led by top scorers Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith. Having clinched home-court advantage for the entire playoffs on August 11, Detroit coach Bill Laimbeer toyed with the Shock line-up for the final games of the season. Detroit lost its final four games of the season, opting to rest their top players for the playoffs.
The Liberty were the only team to beat the Shock twice in 2007, including a dramatic 85-84 win just one week ago. New York has reached the WNBA finals four times, losing to Houston in 1997, 1999 and 2000, and to Los Angeles in 2002. Last season, they missed the playoffs for the second time in four years after finishing a franchise-worst 11-23.
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New York Liberty vs. Detroit Shock -
WNBA Eastern Conference Playoffs
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| Game | Date / Time / Location | Final | TV |
| Game 1 | Friday, August 24, 2007 - 7:30 pm - MSG | W (73-51) | NBA TV |
| Game 2 | Sunday, August 26, 2007 - 1:00 pm - @ DET | L (73-76) | ESPN2 |
| Game 3 | Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 7:00 pm - @ DET | L (70-71) | ESPN2 |
GAME 1: Christon leads Liberty in Upset of Shock in Game 1
Liberty forward Shameka Christon tallied 16 points, 15 rebounds--a franchise playoff record--three assists and one steal to lead the Liberty to a 73-51 victory over the defending champion Shock in Game 1. Christon also spearheaded a key 18-0 run early in the third quarter which sealed the victory. Liberty center Janel McCarville, who was presented with the league’s most improved player award before the game, scored 16 points and Deanna Nolan led Detroit with 16 points.
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GAME 2: Ford and Shock Force Decisive Game 3
Shock forward Cheryl Ford scored 11 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, as the Shock held off the Liberty 76-73 in Game 2 in Detroit. With the win, the Shock forced a decisive game 3 on Tuesday in Detroit. The Shock, led by Deanna Nolan’s 16 points, held on for the win after blowing a 17-point second-half lead during a seven minute span at the end of the fourth quarter. Shameka Christon and Janel McCarville each scored 19 points for the Liberty.
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GAME 3: Shock Eliminate Liberty in Overtime
The Liberty pushed the defending champion Shock to the brink of elimination, but came up just short in their second consecutive nail biter, losing 70-71 in overtime. Detroit’s Cheryl Ford played 39 minutes on a bad knee and put up 17 points (7-10 FG) and 10 rebounds, while Swin Cash led the Shock with 22 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. New York led by as many as 10 in the third quarter thanks to Catherine Kraayeveld’s team-leading 16 points, but could not keep the Shock off the offensive glass down the stretch and blew a five point lead with two minutes left in overtime. Liberty center Janel McCarville had a chance to send the game into a second overtime, but missed the second of two free throws with three seconds left to seal the series for Detroit.
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| RECORD | TOTALS |
| WINS |
16 |
| LOSSES |
18 |
| WNBA Eastern Division Standings |
| TEAM | WIN PCT | EAST | G B |
| Detroit Shock - Y |
.706 |
1st |
0.0 |
| Indiana Fever - X |
.618 |
2nd |
3.0 |
| Connecticut Sun - X |
.529 |
3rd |
6.0 |
| New York Liberty - X |
.471 |
4th |
8.0 |
| Washington Mystics |
.471 |
5th |
8.0 |
| Chicago Sky |
.412 |
6th |
10.0 |
| Y - Clinched Eastern Conference |
| X - Clinched Playoff Berth |
For schedules and scores from the Liberty's last playoff run, please visit our
2005 Playoff Page. |
Last Updated On:
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 LET'S GO LIBERTY! | |
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| 2 Washington Street, 15th Fl., New York, NY 10004 / Toll Free: 877.NYC.SPORTS / Fax: 212.788.7514 |
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