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Portland Fire Offense Goes Cold in Loss to Resilient New York Liberty
The Liberty got 41 bench points and 32 assists as they avenged a two-point loss to Portland two days earlier.
On Thursday, the New York Liberty defeated the Portland Fire 100-82 at Moda Center, avenging a loss from earlier in the week as MVP Breanna Stewart led the team with 22 points.
Without starting point guard Carla Leite due to injury, the Fire offense unraveled, shooting just 43% from the field and 29% from three-point range.
New York finished 51% from the field with 15 three-pointers and 32 assists, while French rookie Pauline Astier scored 19 points and the bench contributed 41 points.
Megan Gustafson scored 14 points in 14 minutes off the bench, though the Fire bench's 39-point contribution could not overcome the Liberty's third-quarter surge.
Portland completes its four-game season-opening homestand against the Connecticut Sun on Monday at Moda Center, while New York has a week off before hosting Golden State next Thursday.