The Atlanta Dream can advance to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013 when they visit the New York Liberty for Game 3 of their semifinal series Friday night.
The Dream heads to Barclays Center with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series after winning the first two games at home.
Atlanta moved within one victory of the WNBA Finals with a 101-98 overtime win Wednesday, overcoming a 35-point performance from New York's Breanna Stewart.
Angel Reese scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Dream, while Jordin Canada added 23 points and eight assists. Naz Hillmon made the go-ahead layup with 20.8 seconds remaining in overtime.
Stewart also grabbed 11 rebounds for New York, while Marine Fauthoux scored a career-high 20 points and made a three-pointer to force overtime.
The Liberty had opportunities to win but committed costly mistakes down the stretch.
Atlanta won Game 1, 92-82, despite losing leading scorer Allisha Gray to a left-hand injury. Gray also missed Game 2 and her availability for Friday remains uncertain.
The Dream have won four consecutive meetings with New York, including two regular-season victories in September.
No team in WNBA history has overcome a 2-0 deficit to win a best-of-five playoff series.
Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty Game 3 betting picks and predictions
Atlanta Dream +2.5 (-105)
New York is favored by 2.5 points despite losing four straight games to Atlanta.
The Liberty have home-court advantage and face elimination, but the Dream have demonstrated they can win in different ways.
Atlanta dominated the second half of Game 1, forcing 21 turnovers and converting them into 32 points.
Game 2 was considerably closer, featuring 17 lead changes and eight ties. Atlanta still found a way to win despite Stewart's 35-point performance.
Canada has been especially difficult for New York to contain. She scored 25 points in Game 1 and followed with 23 points and eight assists Wednesday.
Reese has also become a major problem for the Liberty.
The WNBA Defensive Player of the Year scored 17 points in the opener before producing 23 in Game 2, including six points in overtime.
Atlanta's depth has helped compensate for Gray's absence. DeWanna Bonner scored 23 points in Game 1, while all five Dream starters reached double figures Wednesday.
New York should benefit from returning home. Stewart has been outstanding, and Fauthoux's emergence gives the Liberty another offensive option.
However, Atlanta has already won twice in Brooklyn this season, defeating New York 95-84 on September 21 and 83-65 two days later.
The Dream have enough scoring options and defensive versatility to remain competitive even if the Liberty respond with their best performance of the series.
Take Atlanta and the 2.5 points.
Over 172.5 points (-110)
The first two games have exceeded this total and there is good reason to expect another high-scoring matchup Friday.
Atlanta and New York combined for 174 points in Game 1 before producing 199 in Wednesday's overtime thriller.
Even without overtime, Game 2 would have finished with 176 points, clearing Friday's total.
Both teams have demonstrated they can score against each other, and New York has additional offensive upside after getting just 10 points from Sabrina Ionescu in Game 2.
Stewart scored 35 points in Game 2, including 25 in the first half. Fauthoux added 20 points off the bench, making four three-pointers.
Atlanta, meanwhile, has continued scoring despite the absence of leading scorer Gray.
The Dream scored 101 points in Game 2, with Canada and Reese contributing 23 apiece. Rhyne Howard added 18, while rookie Izzy Borlase provided 11 off the bench.
Atlanta has scored at least 92 points in both games, while New York has reached 82 and 98.
The Liberty also face elimination, which could produce an aggressive offensive approach from the opening tip.
If Friday's game remains close, late fouling and additional free throws could push the total higher.
With both offenses producing consistently and New York desperate to extend its season, another game exceeding 172.5 points looks attainable.
Read more betting picks and predictions for the WNBA on site.
Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty Game 3 odds
Atlanta Dream | +130 |
New York Liberty | -155 |
Spread | NY Liberty -2.5 |
Total Points | O/U 172.5 |
Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty Game 3 player props
Player points
Rhyne Howard (ATL Dream) | O/U 18.5 |
Angel Reese (ATL Dream) | O/U 16.5 |
Jordin Canada (ATL Dream) | O/U 13.5 |
Breanna Stewart (NY Liberty) | O/U 23.5 |
Sabrina Ionescu (NY Liberty) | O/U 15.5 |
Jonquel Jones (NY Liberty) | O/U 15.5 |
Read the latest WNBA news on site.
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.
