Published Jun 23, 9:47pm ET by
James Tillman - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jun 23, 9:47pm ET
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Updated Jun 23, 9:47pm ET
One of Wednesday's WNBA matchups features the Golden State Valkyries hosting the Atlanta Dream. Who has the edge in our Valkyries vs Dream pick?
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| Golden State Valkyries | +2 (-110) |
| Atlanta Dream | -2 (-110) |
Golden State had won four straight following a 6-5 start. That solid stretch ended with a 92-73 defeat, courtesy of the Las Vegas Aces.
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The Valkyries stayed within striking distance early, trailing by just six points after the opening frame. Refusing to be denied, the defending champs responded with a 54-32 burst over the middle two periods on their way to a 19-point win.
Cecilia Zandalasini led the offense with 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Kaitlyn Chen spearheaded the bench unit's scoring effort with 11, knocking down four of her eight shot attempts.
Overall, though, Golden State struggled to generate consistent offense, shooting 42 percent and just 5-for-30 from beyond the arc — a trend that must improve in order for the Valkyries to keep pace with Atlanta's balanced scoring attack.
After suffering a double-digit loss to New York, the Dream have reeled off four straight wins. This includes a 94-87 victory against the Toronto Tempo on Monday night.
Atlanta led by as many as 23 points and held an 18-point advantage at the break. While Toronto's 22-13 fourth-quarter scoring edge made the final margin respectable, the outcome was never in doubt.
Although Atlanta did not shoot the ball at an overly efficient rate (44% FG, 31% 3PT), the host squad did have five players in double figures. Rhyne Howard scored a team-high 20 points and snagged seven rebounds. Allisha Gray and Madina Okot added 18 points each. The Dream enjoyed a 50-38 edge in paint points and scored 22 points off Toronto's 17 miscues.
Thanks in part to their recent slide, Golden State enters this battle as a two-point underdog. Here's a look at what you need to know for both teams ahead of this contest.
The Valkyries have defended their home court well, producing seven wins in their last 10 games at Chase Center. At the same time, Atlanta has traveled well, posting an identical 7-3 mark in its last 10 road outings.
In a game that may lean toward a lower‑scoring, possession‑driven style, the slight edge goes to the Dream, as they have won two of the previous three meetings between these franchises.
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Pick
Atlanta Dream (-2)
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