Like the New York Liberty, who play earlier Tuesday night, the No. 4 Dallas Wings look to wrap their WNBA first-round series against the No. 5 Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night. Dallas recovered after being down by 15 points at the end of the first quarter to take the series opener 94-82 on Friday night. The Wings outscored the Dream 73-46 over the final three periods, including 27-12 in the last quarter.
Satou Sabally led the way for Dallas with a career-high 34 points on 11 of 20 shooting, including 3 of 5 from the 3-point line and 7 of 7 from the charity stripe. Sabally added five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Arike Ogwunbowle contributed 24 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Meanwhile, Teaira McCowan posted her second postseason double-double with 17 points and 14 caroms.
Rhyne Howard. playing in the postseason for the first time, poured in 36 points for Atlanta. Howard was 13 of 29 from the field and 8 of 15 from deep. Allisha Gray put up 21 points, seven boards, and three steals. Cheyenne Parker also reached double-figures with 11 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and three blocks.
Dallas shot 48.8% from the field while holding Atlanta to 36.8% from the field. The Dream did drain 13 threes, compared to seven for the Wings, and protected the ball a little better as they were a +2 in turnover differential. But the Wings dominated the glass (+12) and outscored the Dream (19-13) at the free-throw line.
While Dallas is in the WNBA playoffs for a third straight year, another victory would give the Wings their first series win for the first time as a franchise. The organization, formerly known as the Tulsa Shock, has yet to advance past the first round since 2015 — the last year in Oklahoma.
Atlanta is in the postseason for the first time since 2018. The Dream’s 19 victories were a five-game improvement over last season.
Game Time: 9 p.m. ET
Arena: College Park Center, Arlington, Texas
TV: ESPN
Spread: Dallas Wings -6.5 (-110)
Money Line: Wings -285, Dream +228
Over/Under: 170.5 Points
It would be a massive surprise if not only Atlanta extends the series but keeps this game within double-figures. The Wings have too much firepower for a Dream team that struggles on the defensive end. Atlanta gave Dallas their best shot in Game 1, and they lost by 12.
Dallas is 4-0 against Atlanta this year. The Wings have won the last three contests by double-figures and all four by eight or more points.
Dallas scored 94 points in the last two games versus Atlanta. The Wings have tallied 85 or more points in each of the four matchups while limiting the Dream to 82 or fewer in every contest.
Dallas, which has been cooking offensively in September, is 8-0 in games following 3+ days of rest with a +8.5-point differential. Meanwhile, Atlanta has struggled on the road lately, posting a 1-8 record away from home with a -10.0 point differential since August 1. The Dream is 0-2 in games after a three-day break.
Best Bet: Dallas Wings -6.5 (-110)
Rhyne Howard Under 4.5 Assists (-155)
Satou Sabally Over 19.5 Points (-115)
Allisha Gray Under 17.5 Points (-114)
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