The Atlanta Dream host the Washington Mystics on Friday night at Gateway Center Arena. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM ET. This is the third meeting between these teams this season, with both squads having split the first two matchups.
Atlanta won the most recent game in a 33-point blowout, 89-56, on June 15. That was Washington’s worst loss of the season. The Mystics got a bit of revenge with a win over Chicago on Tuesday, but now must return to the road where they are just 2-4 this year. Atlanta is 4-1 at home and sits in second place in the East.
ATL Preview – Defense Leading the Way at Home
Atlanta comes in with an 8-4 record and is 9-3 against the spread. They had won three in a row before losing to New York 86-81 on Tuesday. The Dream led by eight heading into the fourth but were outscored 26-13 in the final quarter.
Allisha Gray leads the team with 20.4 points per game and had 32 points in the last meeting against Washington. Rhyne Howard adds 17.3 points per game and had 13 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds in the loss to the Liberty. Te-Hina PaoPao stepped up off the bench with 16 points, her highest output of the year.
The Dream are allowing just 76.5 points per game, the third-best mark in the league. They are top two in both defensive rebounds and limiting three-point attempts. At home, Atlanta is holding teams to fewer than 73 points per game and has covered the spread in four of five home games.
WAS Preview – Trying to Keep Momentum Alive
Washington is 5-7 overall and 7-5 against the spread. After getting blown out at home by Atlanta last weekend, they bounced back with a 79-72 win over the Sky. Brittney Sykes had a huge game with 32 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals.
Sykes leads the Mystics with 20.5 points per game. Rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen both average 13.3 points and have taken on bigger roles with injuries in the backcourt. Citron grabbed 9 rebounds and added 13 points in Tuesday’s win, while Iriafen had 8 points and 6 boards.
The Mystics struggle on offense, ranking 11th in points per game and last in both three-pointers made and attempted. Their defense allows 77.6 points per game, which is near the middle of the league. Washington has yet to win back-to-back games since the start of the season.
Betting Prediction
Atlanta is a 9.5-point favorite at home. That number reflects the 33-point win over Washington just five days ago. The Mystics do come in with some momentum after a comeback win in Chicago, but they haven’t been consistent enough to trust against stronger teams.
The Dream have covered in three straight home games and are a league-best 9-3 ATS overall. They are strong defensively and have more scoring options. Washington lacks three-point shooting and has struggled to stay close in losses. Final score prediction is Atlanta 84, Washington 70.
Pick: Atlanta -9.5
