Well, the WNBA Finals are finally here, and I want to thank everyone for following along all year. The WNBA is one of the best leagues to bet on, and our success this year proves it. Be sure to check out my other articles to help you print some money to finish the season strong. It feels like forever ago since we had a slate to bet on, but no time like the present. Here are my best WNBA picks for Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.
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Saturday’s Best WNBA Picks & Predictions
Last Time: 2-0 | Season: 24-15
Atlanta Dream at Golden State Valkyries
After both teams swept their respective semifinal foes, we start the WNBA Finals out West for an afternoon game. It's only taken Golden State two years to reach the WNBA Finals, and they're the slight favorites.
They've depended on their top-ranked defense, which is even better at home, but run into a red-hot Dream team riding a 10-game winning streak. The Valkyries won all three matches against Atlanta this season, but that was months ago.
A big aspect of the games depends on Allisha Gray's health. She is day-to-day, and after being limited, it's tough to say she'll be close to 100%, even if she plays. But both teams have had time to rest and heal up. I've also praised the Valkyries’ defense, but the Atlanta Dream are right behind them, even on the road.
But if either team plans on winning, they'll have to find different ways to score. I think this might be a bit more difficult for Atlanta. Only two other teams depended more on free-throw scoring in the regular season than the Dream. They depend on getting to the charity stripe, taking advantage of turnovers and second-chance opportunities.
But this Golden State squad is a well-oiled machine. Not only is their defense elite, but they also allow the third-fewest second-chance points and the fewest points off turnovers. The Dream will have to lean more on the perimeter, where they rank 11th in three-point shooting percentage this season, compared to Golden State, which ranks sixth.
There are a lot of little battles where I favor the Valkyries that I imagine will simply be too much for the Dream to open the series. I like the under, but I trust the Valkyries to take care of business more.
Picks: Valkyries -2.5 (-105 at BetMGM) & Rhyne Howard Under 23.5 Points + Assists + Rebounds (-117 at Caesars Sportsbook)
