The Atlanta Dream will look to close out the Washington Mystics in Game 2 of this first-round series in the WNBA playoffs when they meet again on Wednesday night, this time in Washington.
This best-of-three series between Eastern Conference rivals tipped off this past Sunday in Atlanta, where the Dream prevailed 92-77.
Now the Mystics will be trying to avoid a sweep in front of their home fans and send the series back south for a decisive Game 3 on Friday.
Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics Game 2 betting picks and predictions
Washington Mystics +3.5 (-115)
The Mystics were outclassed on the road in Game 1, but they know they can compete in this particular matchup. After all, they won two of three meetings with the Dream during the regular season. Washington dropped the first meeting in June but then prevailed twice in a row at home in July (81-76) and August (79-74).
Moreover, don’t let one loss take away from the fact that the Mystics are scorching hot. Head coach Sydney Johnson’s squad ended the regular season on a four-game winning streak and went 16-4 in its last 20 contests. During that stretch the Mystics’ only home setback came at the hands of Minnesota, which finished with the best record in the entire WNBA.
It should also be noted that the Mystics are in perfect shape from an infirmary standpoint as these playoffs get underway. Not a single player on their roster has any injury designation. For the Dream, Brionna Jones (8.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg) is out for the season with a leg issue.
Under 165.5 points (-110)
Although 169 points were scored in Game 1, there are reasons to expect a lower-scoring affair three days later.
The last two regular-season encounters between these two teams resulted in 157 and 153 points. Both of those contests were played in Washington, where Wednesday’s showdown takes place.
Home teams are generally able to control the pace of games, which is exactly what the Mystics were able to do on those two occasions. As the second-lowest scoring team in the East, slowing things down is also exactly what the Mystics will want to do on Wednesday against a high-powered Dream outfit.
Neither team shot the ball particularly well from the field in Game 1, both registering at 41 percent. Atlanta did its damage by going 25-for-26 from the free-throw line.
The Dream almost certainly won’t get that many chances from the charity stripe as visitors in Game 2.
If the Mystics can play more sound defense (and avoid getting hit with overly strict whistles) they should be able to keep the Dream in check.
All things considered, the under looks like the play to make.
Sonia Citron Over 15.5 points (-135)
Washington’s Game 1 setback was no fault of Sonia Citron, who scored 25 points on 8-for-15 shooting from the floor (2-for-4 from three-point range) to go along with six rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Success against Atlanta is nothing new for the 22-year-old guard, who averaged 16.0 points on 10-for-20 shooting (4-for-7 from deep) in a pair of regular-season encounters.
Citron went into the playoffs on form as well. The Notre Dame product scored at least 16 points in three of her last four regular-season contests, including 21 or more on two occasions. She went 18-for-30 from the field (4-for-9 from downtown) over the final three games.
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Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics Game 2 odds
Atlanta Dream | -155 |
Washington Mystics | +130 |
Spread | ATL Dream -3.5 |
Total Points | O/U 165.5 |
Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics Game 2 player props
Player points
Rhyne Howard (ATL Dream) | O/U 19.5 |
Allisha Gray (ATL Dream) | O/U 18.5 |
Shakira Austin (WAS Mystics) | O/U 17.5 |
Sonia Citron (WAS Mystics) | O/U 15.5 |
Kiki Iriafen (WAS Mystics) | O/U 15.5 |
Angel Reese (ATL Dream) | O/U 14.5 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
