Dream vs. Liberty WNBA Betting Odds, Picks: New York opens as 1.5-point underdogs
Two of the WNBA’s hottest teams meet in Brooklyn Monday when the New York Liberty host the Atlanta Dream at 8 p.m. ET.
Atlanta is 28-14 and has won three straight and eight of its last 10. New York is 26-16 and has also won three in a row and seven of its last 10.
The Liberty won the first meeting 104-90 in Atlanta on June 11. Monday begins a season-ending two-game set between the teams, with playoff seeding still on the line.
Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty WNBA Odds and Betting Trends
Atlanta is a 2.5-point road favourite at -135 on the moneyline, while New York is +115. The total sits at 178.5 on the WNBA odds.
The Dream is 13-7 on the road, while New York is 14-6 at home. That makes this an intriguing matchup between one of the league’s better road teams and a Liberty squad that has been difficult to beat in Brooklyn.
Both teams have been rolling offensively. Atlanta has scored at least 103 points in each of its last two games and is averaging 99.3 over its three-game winning streak. New York has scored at least 93 in three straight games.
Atlanta Dream
Atlanta followed a franchise-record 44-point victory over Connecticut with a 106-81 win over Chicago on Saturday.
Angel Reese had 23 points against the Sky after exploding for 30 points and 10 rebounds against Connecticut. The Dream is averaging 91.5 points per game, second-best in the WNBA, while allowing 85.0.
Allisha Gray leads Atlanta at 19.0 points per game, while Reese averages 12.3 rebounds. Rhyne Howard set the WNBA single-season record with her 129th three-pointer Thursday against Connecticut.
That perimeter attack presents a major challenge for New York. Atlanta is one of the WNBA’s highest-volume three-point shooting teams, giving the Dream another way to create separation if their recent offensive surge continues.
The Dream will be without Brionna Jones, who remains sidelined with a leg injury.
New York Liberty
New York enters on short rest after hammering Toronto 106-69 on Sunday afternoon.
Breanna Stewart scored 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting in only 22 minutes. Rebecca Allen added 14 off the bench, while Sabrina Ionescu handed out nine assists.
The easy victory was especially helpful with Monday’s quick turnaround. Stewart, Ionescu and Jonquel Jones were all able to sit out the fourth quarter.
Stewart leads New York with 20.7 points per game, while Jones averages 8.9 rebounds and Ionescu contributes 4.9 assists.
The Liberty are averaging 90.3 points and have rediscovered their offence during their winning streak, scoring 308 points over the three games.
They’ll need that production against an Atlanta team that has scored 106 points in consecutive games.
WNBA Prediction: Who will win Dream vs. Liberty?
The back-to-back would normally be concerning for New York, but Sunday’s blowout allowed its stars to get some valuable rest.
Atlanta is playing terrific basketball and owns the better overall record, but New York has won 14 of 20 at Barclays and has already beaten the Dream on the road this season.
Getting points with the Liberty at home is appealing, particularly with New York’s stars spared heavy minutes Sunday.
Take New York plus 2.5 points in a 91-88 victory.