There are two games of WNBA action tonight. Kicking things off, the Atlanta Dream will host the Dallas Wings.
These teams hold very different outlooks with just over two weeks to go until the playoffs begin. Atlanta is currently tied for third place in the WNBA standings with a 24-14 record, while Dallas sits in last place with a 9-30 record and is eliminated from playoff contention. This is the fourth matchup between the two teams, with the Dream winning two of the three games this season.
The Dream are 16-point favorites and -1600 odds on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Wings hold +900 odds on the moneyline with the game total set at 165.5.
Wings at Dream preview
Paige Bueckers continues to impress in the home stretch of the season, but it has not translated to team success. The likely Rookie of the Year is averaging 19 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game this season. However, Bueckers is listed as questionable with an illness for tonight’s game. This adds to a lengthy Dallas injury list. Tyasha Harris, JJ Quinerly and Li Yueru are already ruled out for the season, while Arike Ogunbowale continues to battle tendinitis and will miss tonight. Luisa Geiselsoder has also been ruled out, while Aziaha James and Haley Jones are each listed as doubtful with their respective ailments.
There is not much to write home about the Wings this season outside of the strong play from Bueckers. Dallas ranks ninth in the league in scoring, 12th in opponents’ points allowed, 10th in offensive rating and 11th in defensive rating. They are posting a -7.0 net rating on the season overall. The Wings have lost six straight and are 1-9 in their last 10. They are just 5-16 at home this season and 3-17 in conference matchups.
Atlanta has a better outlook on the season. Its playoff aspirations are within reach with a 24-14 record, which pushed the team up to third place in the WNBA standings. The Dream are 7-3 in their last 10 games, but are coming off a loss to the Las Vegas Aces in the previous game. They enter tonight’s matchup with a cleaner bill of health, with only Jordin Canada expected to miss.
The Dream ranks sixth in the league in scoring with 83 points per game this season. They limit opponents to 77.1 points per game, the second-best rate, and rank fourth in offensive rating as well as second in defensive rating. Allisha Gray has performed like a star all season and is averaging 18.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Rhyne Howard adds 16.3 points, 4.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds, while Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner have each also made an impact.
Wings at Dream prediction, pick
There is a huge gap in the standings between these two teams, and the 16-point spread rightfully indicates this. Atlanta has been on fire lately and has especially been getting the job done on the defensive end. The Dream have held opponents to 75 or fewer points in seven of its last nine games. Expect this to cause some problems for the Wings, with their injury issues further magnifying their scoring struggles.
Dallas has lost six straight games and 13 of its past 15. Three of these losses have come by 17 points or greater. The Wings are 1-4 ATS over their last five games, while the Dream are 8-2-1 across their last 11. Dallas is 2-1 ATS against Atlanta this year. Atlanta won the first matchup 83-75, while Dallas won 68-55 in the second meeting. The Dream won by three in the third game.
The Wings have mostly kept these games competitive, but it feels like they’re limping to the finish line now. Injuries have stacked up, and this will mark the Wings’ fourth game in the past seven days. Meanwhile, the Dream have been playing well recently, defeating the Liberty and Valkyries by 16 points each. The Wings are a more inferior opponent in comparison to these and have been a tough watch of late. Sixteen points is a significant spread, but expect the Dream to enter with focus and put this game away early. I am backing Atlanta to take care of business and push the margin of victory to 20+ points as they look to continue adding to its strong stretch of high-level play.
