On Thursday, 06/12, the Atlanta Dream (6-3) will host the Chicago Sky (2-6) in a WNBA regular-season matchup. The Dream are in the third position, meanwhile the Sky have slipped to 11th spot. Can the buoyant Dream trump the stuttering Sky?
Go through the predictions related to player props, total, and spread here.
Atlanta Dream: Huge potential
The Dream comes into this game after a riveting 19-point win (77-58) as Allisha Gray top-scored with 23. The Dream had a terrible shooting night from outside, making just 5 out of 22 three-pointers.
It was the paintwork and rebounding job of Brionna Jones that helped the team allay some of the shooting woes. She contributed 21 points and 10 rebounds(five offensive). She helped Dream outrebound Fever 44-27, which was without their leader, Caitlin Clark, for the fifth straight game.
The defense showed up as Atlanta shut down the Fever to 36.2% FG. It was their fifth win in six games. Atlanta has done well, but they have enjoyed one of the easiest schedules. The wins against the Seattle Storm (5-4) and the Caitlin Clark-led team were impressive, but the Dream has their work cut out.
Thanks to Jones and Britney Griner, the Hawks lead in rebounding with over 38 RPG. They are also #1 in three-point defense, limiting teams to 5.9 makes per game. But will they be able to sustain it against elite shooting teams?
Chicago Sky: From bad to worse
The Sky came into this game after a woeful 19-point loss against the New York Liberty despite Angel Reese’s 17-point, 11-rebound performance. Apart from Reese, there wasn’t much to write home about the offense. The Sky had familiar woes.
They committed 22 turnovers and shot 6/23 from the three-point line. It was their second straight loss, and they have already suffered a 4-game losing streak. The team has already lost its best passer, Courtney Vandersloot, due to an injury.
The Sky doesn’t have a reliable scoring option. Reese has shot below 33%, and her latest performance was by far her best venture. The Sky commits the most turnovers (17.2 TOPG) and allows the most triples, 10.8 3 PM on 40.1%(Last).
Seriously, a disastrous performance. indicating the team needs an overhaul
Sky Expected Starting Lineup
SG: Ariel Atkins | SG: Rachel Banham | SG/SF: Rebecca Allen | PF: Angel Reese | C: Kamila Cardoso
Key bench players: PG: Hailey Van Lith, SG: Kia Nurse, PF: Michaela Onyenwere, C: Elizabeth Williams
Injuries/Updates: Courtney Vandersloot is OUT.
Dream Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Jordin Canada | SG: Allisha Gray | SG: Rhyne Howard | PF/C: Britney Griner | C: Brionna Jones
Key bench players: PF: Naz Hilmon, PF: Nia Coffey
Injuries/Updates: No significant injury to report.
Atlanta Dream vs Chicago Sky Total Over/Under Prediction- WNBA Best Bets
The Sky has given up 85 or more points in six of the last eight games (90+ in five games). Meanwhile, they have scored fewer than 80 points in five of the last eight games. On the other hand, 83 or more in five of the last nine games.
Meanwhile, they have given up 80 or more. Overall, the scoring here can be potentially 160+.
Total: Over 159.5 for -105 at BetMGM
Brionna Jones O 9.5 rebounds: The Hawks center is pulling down 8.9 RPG. She has tallied 10 or more rebounds in five of the nine games. I expect him to pin down at least 10 here, too.
Angel Reese O 13.5 points The Chicago center is struggling, scoring just 10.1 PPG, compared to 13.6 PPG in her rookie year. However, I expect her to follow a 17-point night with at least a 15-point effort.
Allisha Gray O 1.5 three-pointers: Gray is knocking down a career-high 2.4 three-pointers per game. However, she has made just 1 in each of the last two games. I expect her to nail at least 2 against a poor perimeter defense in the Sky.
Main pick: Points: Angel Reese Over 10.5 points for -130 at BetMGM
The Dream is the overwhelming favorite here. They have a better outside shooting time and their interior duo can be too much to handle, esp. Brionna Jones.
On the other hand, the Sky are vulnerable against an astute team like Atlanta and need some widespread changes if they want to compete at a high level. I had expected the Dream to cover the spread before but a -12.5 looks too much despite Chicago’s woes so I think the latter will be able to keep within 10 points.
Spread/Money Line Pick: Spread: Sky +12.5 for -110 at BetMGM
*Odds will be updated when they are released.
Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
nba
