The struggling Atlanta Dream hopes to bounce back from a winless July when it takes on the red-hot Seattle Storm on August 16, 2024, Friday, in the packed Gateway Center Arena in College Park.
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Atlanta, which was in a prime position for its second consecutive postseason appearance in June, is now outside of the playoff picture heading into the final stretch after losing all eight of their games last month.
They look to snap its eight-game losing streak when it battles a Seattle team that has beaten them by double-digits earlier this season.
In their previous matchup, the Storm used a balanced offense to turn back the Dream 81-70 and score its second straight win.
Winners of eight of their last 10 games, Seattle is currently tied with the Minnesota Lynx for the third spot and just a game above the defending champions Las Vegas Aces in the league standings.
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Will the Storm continue its mastery of the Dream and solidify their grip of the third spot or will the Dream score its first victory since June? That remains to be seen but for now let’s take a look at how the current Atlanta Dream vs Seattle Storm betting lines stand.
Atlanta Dream vs Seattle Storm WNBA Odds for August 16, 2024
Moneyline
- Atlanta Dream: +245
- Seattle Storm: -305
Spread
- Atlanta Dream: +7 (-110)
- Seattle Storm: -7 (-110)
Over/Under (Total)
- OVER 160 (-112)
- UNDER 160 (-108)
Atlanta Dream
vs
Seattle Storm
Injury Report
Atlanta Dream Injury Report
- Lorela Cubaj – Out
- Jordin Canada – Finger Injury – Day-to-Day
Seattle Storm Injury Report
- No Injuries
Best Odds for
Atlanta Dream
vs
Seattle Storm
- The Atlanta Dream has covered the spread in four of their last games against the Seattle Storm. The best Atlanta Dream odds to cover the +7 spread are available on Bet365 at -110.
- The Seattle Storm is among the best Against-The-Spread (ATS) teams in the league at 15-10. DraftKings offers the best Seattle Storm odds to cover the -7 spread at -110.
- The Atlanta Dream and the Seattle Storm have hit the under in their last five encounters. The best Atlanta Dream vs Seattle Storm odds for under 160 are on Bet365 at -110.
Why will the
Atlanta Dream
cover the spread?
Since their 78-74 upset victory over the Connecticut Sun on June 28, the Atlanta Dream has seemingly forgotten what it feels like to win.
- They have racked up eight consecutive losses and are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
- With everything going wrong in Atlanta the past few games, one would think that picking them to cover the spread at these current odds against a loaded Seattle Storm team does not make sense.
But that is simply no longer the case with the Dream having versatile shooting guard Rhyne Howard back in the lineup in this game.
The 24-year old Howard, who is Atlanta’s second leading scorer at 15.4 points per game, missed 10 games in the past two months due to a left ankle injury.
Throughout Howard’s absence, the Dream went 1-9 (win-loss), which included a double-digit loss to the Storm.
Howard made her return against the Minnesota Lynx where she came off the bench and contributed 15 points and nine rebounds on six-for-14 shooting.
- With Howard back in the lineup and the team nearly in full force, backing the Dream to cover the +7 spread in front of their home fans at -110 could appeal to some punters.
- It is also worth noting that the Dream has covered the spread in four of their last six matchups against the Storm
What’s even more impressive, the Dream was able to beat the Storm in three of their last six games. However, for Atlanta to cover let alone beat a star-studded Seattle squad, they will need to shoot better from the field and cut down their turnovers.
In their previous encounter with the Storm, the Dream did not only turn the ball over 16 times but also shot 17.6% from the three-point country.
Why will the
Seattle Storm
cover the spread?
After consecutive losses against the Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces, the Seattle Storm has found its groove back, winning eight of their last 10 games. With the postseason nearing, Seattle is in a prime spot for a home court advantage in the first round and perhaps in the second too if they continue their run of success.
With the Minnesota Lynx and the Las Vegas Aces right in their crosshairs and ready to knock them down the league standings, expect the Storm to push the tempo and start strong in this game.
In this previous encounter with the Atlanta Dream, the Storm started hot, taking a six-point lead during halftime before unleashing a strong finishing kick to secure the victory.
- Storm center Ezi Magbegor led the team with 18 points while guards Jordan Horston and Jewell Lloyd recorded 16 and 14 points each.
- Sami Whitcomb was also on target for the Storm with 13 markers off the bench while former league Most Valuable Player Nneka Ogwumike added 10 points and 12 rebounds.
A notable no-show for the Storm though was six-time WNBA All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith who was only limited to three points and four assists. The 34-year old Diggins-Smith left the game late in the first half after a left ankle injury.
- With Diggins-Smith back in full health this game, Seattle is in a good spot to repeat their performance last month and score their fourth consecutive win.
It is also worth noting that they are taking on a Dream squad that is the worst in the league in scoring and field goal percentage. If that’s not good enough, the Storm is also the best defensive team this season, leading the league in both steals and blocks.
All things considered, backing the Storm to cover the -7 spread at -110 could appeal for punters looking to find value bets on the favorite.
Final
Atlanta Dream
vs
Seattle Storm
Prediction: Atlanta Dream +7 (-110)
Picking against the Seattle Storm is especially tough considering their form. It makes it even more challenging when they are taking on a team that has been historically terrible at covering the spread when playing at home this season. For context, the Atlanta Dream is 3-8 ATS in front of their home fans.
But for all the flak the Dream has been getting this season, they have actually stepped up in times you least expect them.
A case in point was their last matchup against the Storm where they came in as 13.5 underdogs but managed to cover the spread.
- With Rhyne Howard back and the Dream playing at home, I expect them to keep the game close and cover the +7 spread this time.
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