Dream Fading Fast Without Howard, Host Sky
Dream vs Sky WNBA Betting Odds Favor Chicago
Rhyne Howard’s absence continues to spell big problems for the Atlanta Dream. Hoping to avoid a fifth-straight loss, Atlanta visits the Chicago Sky for a rare Wednesday matinee matchup at Wintrust Arena.
Chicago is a 6-point favorite and -258 on the moneyline, with Atlanta +210 to win outright. Meanwhile, the projected total is 157.5.
Who has the edge? Read on as we break down both teams and assess the Dream vs Sky WNBA betting odds in our game preview.
🏀 Dream at Sky 🏀
📊Records: Atlanta Dream (7-13), Chicago Sky (8-12)
⏰Day/Time: 📍Location: Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL
📺Stream: WNBA League Pass
Dream vs Sky Betting Trends
The Atlanta Dream have covered in seven of their 10 road games but are just 9-11 against the spread (ATS). As for the Over/Under, Atlanta is 10-10.
The Chicago Sky, meanwhile, are 8-12 ATS, including only 3-7 at home. They’ve fared much better for Over/Under bettors, going 11-9.
Be sure to remember these trends when assessing the Dream vs Sky WNBA betting odds.
Howard’s Absence Spells Big Problems
Atlanta has hit the skids, dropping four straight games to fall six games below .500. The Dream remain on the fringes of the playoff race — 1.0 game behind Chicago for the eighth and final seed — though things are starting to get a bit tenuous.
Atlanta’s struggles coincide with the absence of Rhyne Howard. The 2022 Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star hasn’t played since June 19 against Minnesota because of a left ankle injury. The Dream are just 1-6 in her absence, including an 85-77 loss to Chicago on July 2.
Making matters worse, there is no timetable for Howard’s return. Howard, who is averaging 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.2 steals, hurt her ankle after stepping on the foot of Lynx guard Courtney Williams. Howard was supposed to compete for the U.S. at the Summer Olympics as a member of the 3×3 basketball team.
Now, that availability is in doubt, as is her return to Atlanta. That’s certainly caused some angst, as the Dream have seen their WNBA playoff odds sink to +165. They are a title longshot at +25000.
Atlanta is already 0-2 on its road trip following losses to Dallas and Connecticut and still has three more games away from home before the Olympic break. The Dream is just 4-6 away from home despite a 70% cover rate. Keep that in mind when analyzing the Dream vs Sky WNBA betting odds.
Reese Takes on Starring Role
Despite sitting well below .500, the Sky find themselves in the thick of the playoff race. Oddsmakers like their chances, pricing them at -260 to qualify.
Much of that optimism stems from the emergence of Angel Reese, the No. 7 pick in April’s draft. Reese, a two-time All-American and the catalyst of LSU’s 2023 NCAA title is making waves as a WNBA rookie. With 13 consecutive double-doubles, Reese has broken a record held by Candace Parker.
Reese finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and four steals in Sunday’s 84-71 loss to Seattle. She leads the league in rebounding (11.9).
As such, Reese’s Rookie of the Year odds have soared from +4000 to +400 since the start of the season, making her easily the biggest mover on the board. Indiana’s Caitlin Clark is still a massive favorite (-700) to win the award, though Reese can make things interesting with another impressive month.
Chennedy Carter, a 2020 first-round pick, has stepped up off the bench to average a team-high 16.5 points. She’s been Chicago’s top scorer in four straight games, including a season-high 33-point effort in Friday’s 88-84 win over Seattle.
Even with their improved play (4-3 over the last seven games), the Sky remain a liability for bettors. They are 8-12 ATS per WNBA scores, including just 3-8 in their last 11 games.
Your ALL-TIME @wnba leader in consecutive double-doubles
All Hail Queen Barbie 👑#skytown | @GarrettPopcorn pic.twitter.com/kVwFk7LA82
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) July 8, 2024
Handicapping the Game
Injuries continue to ravage Atlanta. In addition to Howard, the Dream may also be without Cheyenne Parker (foot), Aerial Powers (calf), and Jordin Canada (finger). That quartet has accounted for 55.2% of the team’s points.
The Dream, who already are last in the WNBA in scoring (75.9 PPG), have struggled to survive shorthanded. They are 1-7 over their last eight games, and it’s only going to get more difficult with Las Vegas, Seattle, and Minnesota still on the schedule before the Summer Olympic break.
Because of those injuries, it’s hard to put much stock in the teams’ previous meetings. Atlanta won 89-80 on June 8, with Chicago returning the favor on July 2, 85-77.
Chicago is favored over 4.5 points for the first time. It is 4-3 ATS as a favorite.
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