COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA - AUGUST 23: Allisha Gray #15 of the Atlanta Dream looks on during the game against the Phoenix Mercury in the first half on August 23, 2024 at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Dream and the Chicago Sky battle for their postseason hopes as they collide this Tuesday, September 17, 2024 in The Gateway Center Arena at College Park.

Both Atlanta and Chicago are currently in a three-way tie with the Washington Mystics with a 13-25 (win-loss) record. However, by virtue of the quotient system and their head-to-head results, the Mystics are in the eighth spot.

With the Mystics facing a tough customer in the form of the New York Liberty tonight, there could be potential that whoever wins the Dream-Sky matchup will grab the final playoff spot.

• Atlanta and Chicago have met three times this season with the latter winning two. In their previous matchup, it was the combined effort of guard Chennedy Carter and rookie forward Angel Reese that helped the Sky pull off a 78-69 win.

Chicago, however, will head into this game without Reese who has been sidelined for the rest of the season.

• Early Atlanta Dream vs Chicago Sky odds have the home team as a 5.5-point favorite here but the line has gone up to six points across few bookmakers.
• Both teams are subpar as far as covering the spread is concerned. They have failed to cover the spread in their previous two games.

With this game likely to be a deciding factor as to who takes the final playoff spot, expect both teams to start strong. As of press time, here’s how both teams look as we head into the penultimate day of the WNBA regular season.

Atlanta Dream vs Chicago Sky FanDuel WNBA Odds for September 17

Moneyline

• Atlanta Dream: -260
• Chicago Sky: +205

Spread

• Atlanta Dream: -6 (-108)
• Chicago Sky: +6 (-112)

Over/Under (Total)

• OVER 154.5 (-108)
• UNDER 154.5 (-112)

Atlanta Dream vs Chicago Sky Injury Report

Atlanta Dream Injury Report

1. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus – Ankle – Out for the Season
2. Aerial Powers – Calf – Out

Chicago Sky Injury Report

1. Diamond DeShields – Ankle - Out
2. Angel Reese – Left Wrist – Out for the Season
3. Elizabeth Williams – Knee – Out for the Season
4. Kamilla Cardoso – Shoulder - Questionable

Best WNBA odds for Atlanta Dream vs Chicago Sky

• The Atlanta Dream won three of their past five meetings with the Chicago Sky. The best Atlanta Dream odds to cover the spread are available on FanDuel at -108.
• The Chicago Sky won two of their three meetings with the Atlanta Dream this season. DraftKings offers the best odds for the Sky to win outright at +205.
• The Chicago Sky and the Atlanta Dream are among the worst offensive teams in the league, ranking 11th and 12th respectively in scoring. The best Atlanta Dream vs Chicago Sky odds for the under are available on FanDuel at -112.

Why will the Atlanta Dream cover the spread?

The Atlanta Dream snapped its three-game losing skid on Sunday with a 76-73 overtime victory over the Washington Mystics to keep themselves within the playoff hunt. Next up for the Dream is a Chicago Sky squad that has beaten them twice this season.

Nevertheless, Atlanta heads into this game as a moderate favorite and a lot of that has to do with the injury bug in Chicago.

• In addition to the absence of Elizabeth Williams, Diamond DeShields, and Angel Reese, rookie center Kamilla Cardoso is questionable for this game due to a shoulder injury.

With Reese out and possibly Cardoso not a 100%, former All-Star Tina Charles should have her way inside.

• The 35-year old center was only limited to nine points on 31% shooting in their previous encounter with the Sky.
• Plenty of Charles’ struggles can be attributed to the inside presence of Reese and Cardoso who combined for 14 rebounds, four steals, and five blocks.

With the Sky missing Reese and possibly Cardoso too, backing them to cover the -6 spread at these current odds is something juicy.

• Atlanta, however, needs to find ways to contain Sky guard Chennedy Carter. The 25-year old Carter is coming off a 20-point output against the Phoenix Mercury and has been averaging 20.0 points per game in three encounters with the Dream this season.

With Atlanta back in familiar soil after a short road trip and Chicago dealing with plenty of injuries, leaning towards the home team to cover the -6 spread could be attractive for punters looking for a value bet on the favorite.

Why will the Chicago Sky cover the spread?

The Chicago Sky is in danger of missing the playoffs after losing three straight games. With similar records to the Washington Mystics and the Atlanta Dream, the Sky could no longer afford any slip up.

Fortunately, they know and have beaten this Dream team not once but twice this season.

• In fact, the Sky beat the Dream by an average margin of 8.5 points in their past two meetings this season.

It is also worth noting that their only loss came early in the season where guard Chennedy Carter only played 15 minutes.

Another thing of note is Atlanta will be without Cheyenne Parker-Tyus who has been sidelined for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

• Parker-Tyus was instrumental in the Dream’s only victory against the Sky this season, pouring in 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting.

One thing that Chicago needs here though is to limit the touches of Atlanta center Tina Charles inside.

• This means either putting Michaela Onyenwere, Isabelle Harrison, or even Cardoso – if she’s healthy – on her to force the Dream to shoot from the outside.
• It is worth noting that the Dream is among the worst three-point shooting teams in the league, just making 31.1% of their shots from downtown.

Should Chicago be able to force Atlanta to chuck shots from outside, picking them to cover the +6 spread on the road is something worth thinking about. Taking into account the 7-11-1 ATS home record of the Dream, backing Chicago to cover could potentially be a steal.

Final Atlanta Dream vs Chicago Sky WNBA Prediction: Atlanta Dream -6 (-108)

Had the Chicago Sky been healthy, picking them to win outright against the Atlanta Dream is not even a question. With Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso towering in the frontcourt and Chennedy Carter taking care of backcourt duties, one could argue that the Sky is more talented with the Dream.

However, without Reese and Cardoso still questionable, picking the Dream to cover the -6 spread and knock the Sky off back to the Earth and out of playoff contention is the value here.