WNBA Playoff Bet Picks: Aces, Valkyries, Liberty and Dream Predictions

The Las Vegas Aces have won three of the past four WNBA titles but find themselves in a hole in their semifinal series against the Golden State Valkyries. The Aces scored a season-low 60 points while losing Game 1 but a triumph in Wednesday’s Game 2 would be a big deal with the following two games of the best-of-five series scheduled for Sin City.

The Atlanta Dream will be without top performer Allisha Gray after she injured a finger on her left hand in the club’s Game 1 victory over the New York Liberty. That’s quite a blow for the Dream as the four-time All-Star figures to finish in the Top 5 in MVP voting for the second straight season.

New York had trouble slowing the Dream in Game 1. As for the Aces, they were steamrolled on the boards, 52-25 by the Valkyries.

LAS VEGAS ACES AT GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES

Nothing about Gabby Williams, who is a fine player, but something about Golden State owner Joe Lacob saying “Print this: Gabby Williams is the best player in the world,” when soon-to-be five-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson is on the opposing team is just silly. Ever heard of let sleeping dogs lie? Lacob just woke up the entire kennel with one silly remark.

Williams excelled with 25 points in Golden State’s 71-60 home victory in Game 1 and played her typical strong defense. We’ll see soon enough if more pressure is on her in Game 2. Wilson scored 24 points on just 8-of-21 shooting so she will certainly be looking for a better showing.

Other All-Stars like Jackie Young (11 points on 4-of-15 shooting in Game 1) and Chelsea Gray (16) will need to perform well for the Aces to prevail. Valkyries star Veronica Burton had just four points on 1-for-6 shooting in Game 1 and Golden State needs more production from her if it is wishes to take a 2-0 series lead.

Aces +1.5 points spread, -115

NEW YORK LIBERTY AT ATLANTA DREAM

Gray only played 11 minutes in Game 1 before exiting and she was ruled out on Tuesday. The left-handed shooter led Atlanta with a 19.0 scoring average this season. Rhyne Howard had 16 points in the 92-82 victory but will have to fare better than that dreadful 5-for-20 shooting effort if the Dream want to take a 2-0 lead. Jordin Canada had 25 points in Game 1.

The Liberty committed 21 turnovers in the series opener, leading to 32 Atlanta points, and that issue will need to be cured if New York wants to even the series. Sabrina Ionescu stood out with 27 points in Game 1 but also was sloppy with five turnovers.

Breanna Stewart had 19 points in the opener but collected just two rebounds. New York could use a throwback performance from her. Even with Gray sidelined, Atlanta figures to win a close one and take a big lead in the series.

Dream -1.5 points spread, -110