The Atlanta Dream lost Game 1 to the New York Liberty, 83-69, and online sportsbooks have set the spread for Game 2 at 12.5 points. If Atlanta loses this game, its season is officially over.
Keep reading for my WNBA same-game parlay for Dream vs Liberty Game 2, which can be seen live on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 24.
WNBA Same-Game Parlay for Dream vs Liberty
- Tina Charles Under 25.5 Points + Rebounds (-106)
- Sabrina Ionescu 2+ Made Threes (-420)
Parlay Odds: +132 on FanDuel
Tina Charles Under 25.5 Points + Rebounds (-106)
Fading Tina Charles definitely isn't a great feeling as she's scored the second-most points in WNBA history and has grabbed the most rebounds ever. This matchup though … it’s rough.
The Liberty’s superb defense held opponents to field-goal percentages 52.5% at the rim and 49.7% in the paint this season — both figures that led the league. Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart and Nyara Sabally are a formidable defensive trio and that did their job in the series opener.
Charles produced 12 points on 12 shots and struggled to establish herself. It’s logical for New York to emphasize shutting down Charles as she’s the most efficient foundational piece in a wildly inefficient Dream offense. Therefore, look for the Liberty to center their game plan around limiting the legend.
New York also rarely fouls, so Charles can't count on trips to the charity stripe for easy points. In fact, she didn’t get there once in Game 1.
Scoring output isn't the only worry here. New York effectively cleans the glass and gave up the lowest offensive rebound rate this season. Minimal offensive rebounds also mean fewer put-back chances, thus further slashing scoring potential.
Overall, Charles is running into a Liberty defense that allowed the fewest points and rebounds per game to centers.
It’s worth noting that she has gone under 25.5 in 12-of-20 road games and in 3-of-5 matchups against New York.
Sabrina Ionescu 2+ Made 3s (-420)
Atlanta protects the basket at a high level and effectively deters shots. New York didn’t test the Dream inside in Game 1. The Liberty only had four restricted area attempts in Game 1, but shot 23 times from 3-point range.
Sabrina Ionescu should benefit from that game plan as she’s New York’s top perimeter threat.
The All-Star has knocked down two triples in 31-of-39 games this year, including a 3-for-7 performance on Sunday.
