Brendan O’Sullivan provides his prediction and best bet for Monday’s Atlanta Dream vs. Connecticut Sun matchup.
The Dream and Sun are going to be very familiar with each other in the final stretch of the regular season. Monday’s game is the first of three matchups from Sep. 1-10. This will be the third of five games between the two teams this season with the teams splitting the first two.
Atlanta is a 10.5-point favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 159 points.
Here’s my prediction and pick for Monday’s Dream vs. Sun matchup.
Dream vs. Sun prediction
The Dream clinched a playoff berth and are now playing for positioning with five games remaining. The schedule is easy, too, as the team faces the Sun three times and the Sparks twice.
This first game against Connecticut will be on the road before the Dream return home to Atlanta for three straight games.
Atlanta has a stacked roster headlined by Allisha Gray’s scoring ability. She’s averaging 18.7 points per game on 45 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from distance. Rhyne Howard (16.6), Brionna Jones (12.9) and Jordin Canada (12) all average in double figures. Brittney Griner is at 9.9, just missing the threshold.
These aren’t just five capable scorers. They play elite defense, allowing the second fewest points per game in the league. The Sun, who score the second fewest points per game in the league, will have trouble against this unit.
Connecticut has the third worst record in the WNBA and is eliminated from the playoffs. While the team doesn’t have anything to play for, it won’t just lay down and let teams win for free. The Sun will still shine, even if the forecast is mostly cloudy.
Dream vs. Sun pick, best bet
Although Connecticut won the last meeting between these teams, that shouldn’t happen again. The Sun have 10 wins this season and shouldn’t add many more in the last few games.
The Dream should handle this fairly easily and cover the 10.5-point spread.