Liberty vs. Dream Game 2 WNBA Odds, Prediction and Picks: Atlanta Favoured at Home
After beating New York in the opening match of their WNBA semifinal series on Sunday, the Atlanta Dream host the Liberty in Game 2 Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gateway Center Arena.
Atlanta won 92-82 on Sunday behind 25 points and five steals from Jordin Canada. DeWanna Bonner added 23 points and nine rebounds off the bench, while Angel Reese finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three blocks.
New York committed 21 turnovers, which Atlanta converted into 32 points, as the Dream improved to 3-0 in the playoffs.
New York Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream WNBA Odds and Betting Trends
Atlanta is a 2.5-point home favourite at -140 on the money line, while New York is +120. The total sits at 170.5.
The Dream won three of four meetings with New York this season, including Game 1, and are 15-7 at home.
The Liberty are 12-10 on the road and need a victory before the best-of-five series shifts to New York for Game 3 on Friday.
New York Liberty
New York must protect the ball better after Atlanta’s pressure disrupted its offence throughout Game 1.
Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Sabrina Ionescu scored 19. Jonquel Jones added 12 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks.
But Ionescu had five of New York’s 21 turnovers and recorded only one assist. Atlanta repeatedly turned those mistakes into transition opportunities.
The Liberty swept top-seeded Minnesota in the opening round, winning 91-75 and 87-71, before suffering their first postseason loss.
New York still has the experience to respond. Stewart, Ionescu, and Jones form a championship-tested core, but the Liberty cannot afford another sloppy offensive performance against an Atlanta team that has yet to lose this postseason.
Atlanta Dream
Atlanta overcame an early injury to leading scorer Allisha Gray to control Game 1.
Gray injured two fingers on her left hand in the first quarter. She briefly returned with her fingers taped before leaving for good and is questionable for Game 2.
Canada helped fill the void by scoring 20 of her 25 points in the second half. Bonner provided another major lift off the bench, while Reese made an impact at both ends.
The Dream’s defence was the biggest difference. Atlanta recorded 14 steals and forced 21 turnovers, turning those mistakes into 32 points.
Gray’s availability is the major question for Game 2. She averaged 18.9 points during the regular season, and another absence would put additional pressure on Canada, Bonner, Reese and Rhyne Howard.
WNBA Prediction: Who will win Liberty vs. Dream?
Atlanta deserves to be favoured after winning three of four meetings with New York and forcing 21 turnovers in Game 1.
But Gray’s uncertain status makes laying points with the Dream less appealing. New York has already responded impressively to postseason pressure by sweeping No. 1 seed Minnesota and should be better than Sunday’s turnover-prone performance when they take to the court on Wednesday night.
Getting 2.5 points with the more experienced team provides value in what should be a much closer Game 2.
Score prediction: New York 86-83 Atlanta