Atlanta Dream vs. Golden State Valkyries WNBA Finals Game 2 Betting Picks, Prediction

Golden State Valkyries are three victories away from their first WNBA championship, but the Atlanta Dream aren’t ready to help them plan a parade.

Golden State rallied for a 68-64 victory in Saturday’s Finals opener and will look to take a 2-0 series lead tonight at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Center in San Francisco.

The Valkyries have won five consecutive playoff games and all four meetings with Atlanta this season.

The Dream, meanwhile, watched their 10-game winning streak disappear after a late offensive meltdown in Game 1.

Atlanta led by five entering the fourth quarter before scoring just eight points. Not exactly championship basketball.

Atlanta Dream vs. Golden State Valkyries WNBA Odds and Betting Trends

Golden State is a 2.5-point home favourite on the WNBA odds board and at -142 on the money line, while Atlanta is +121. The total is 152.5 points.

The Valkyries have covered in all four meetings this season, including Saturday’s opener.

Five of the teams’ last six meetings have gone Under, including all four games played at Chase Center.

Atlanta has averaged just 72 points in four meetings with Golden State this year.

Atlanta Dream

The Dream spent three quarters Saturday looking like they might steal home-court advantage.

Then somebody apparently misplaced the basket.

Atlanta shot 2-for-19 in the fourth quarter, missed its final seven shots, and failed to score over the final 3:12.

Allisha Gray returned from a left-hand injury and scored a team-high 19 points, while Angel Reese contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Rhyne Howard scored 12 points but struggled from the field, shooting just 3-for-14.

The Dream averaged 91.3 points during the regular season, but Golden State has repeatedly turned their high-powered offence into something resembling a sputtering lawn mower.

More offence is needed from Howard and Jordin Canada, particularly when the Valkyries turn up the defensive pressure.

Reese should continue to make her presence felt on the glass, but Atlanta can’t afford another prolonged scoring drought.

Golden State Valkyries

The Valkyries didn’t exactly put on an offensive clinic on Saturday either.

They shot 32.1% from the field and made seven of 33 three-point attempts.

Gabby Williams carried Golden State with 26 points, including 16 in the second quarter, and made six crucial free throws down the stretch.

Kiah Stokes added four blocks as the Valkyries held Atlanta to 32.8% shooting.

Golden State’s defence has been the foundation of its remarkable second season.

The Valkyries finished with the league’s best defensive rating at 99.1, and Williams, Veronica Burton and Stokes give opponents headaches all over the court.

Golden State’s depth also allows the Valkyries to maintain their defensive intensity when the starters rest.

The Valkyries have now beaten Atlanta four times this season. At some point, that stops looking like a coincidence.

WNBA Prediction: Who will win Dream vs. Valkyries?

Atlanta should respond with a better offensive performance, particularly with Gray back in the lineup.

Howard is unlikely to endure another miserable shooting night, and Reese can create second-chance opportunities.

But Golden State has demonstrated it knows exactly how to frustrate this opponent.

Williams provides the scoring punch, while the Valkyries’ defence makes every Atlanta possession feel like hard labour.

Expect another close contest, but Golden State should head to Atlanta with a 2-0 series lead.

Best bet: Take Golden State -2.5.

Score prediction: Golden State 77-72 Atlanta.