Chicago Sky vs. Atlanta Dream WNBA Betting (June 3): Back the reigning champs tonight vs. Howard, improved Dream

After winning the franchise’s first WNBA championship last year, the Chicago Sky are still trying to find their rhythm this season.

But after closing out May with three wins in four games, things are trending up for the Sky, who visit the Atlanta Dream in one of four games on Friday’s WNBA schedule.

In Tuesday’s game against the visiting Phoenix Mercury, Chicago needed a fourth-quarter comeback to pull out the win. They trailed 59-51 entering the final frame but outscored Phoenix 22-11 and held the Mercury to only three made field goals as they eked out a 73-70 win.

Another challenging contest could be ahead tonight, as Rhyne Howard and the Dream come in with back-to-back wins and are only a half-game out of first place in the Eastern Conference.

Chicago Sky vs. Atlanta Dream WNBA Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Chicago Sky (5-3, 4th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Dream (6-3, 3rd in the Eastern Conference)
• Venue & Location: Gateway Center (College Park, Georgia)
• Date: Friday, June 3, 2022
• Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Sky vs. Dream Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Spread

• Chicago Sky -4.5 (-115)
• Atlanta Dream +4.5 (-105)

Over/Under

• OVER 155.5 (-114)
• UNDER 155.5 (-106)

Moneyline

• Chicago Sky -210
• Atlanta Dream +168

Are the Dream Actually as Good as Their Record?

After finishing 8-24 last season, the Dream are already only two wins away from matching that win total. A combination of new and returning faces have helped engineer the early positive start under new head coach Tanisha Wright.

Of course, the big name is former Kentucky star Rhyne Howard, who was drafted first overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft. And through nine games, the number one pick has already delivered some big performances.

Entering tonight’s game against Chicago, Howard is averaging 17.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 2.7 APG. In Wednesday’s 84-76 win over the Minnesota Lynx, she was the leading scorer with 22 points, making 9 of 19 shots from the field overall, including 3 of 7 from three.

Atlanta is also getting valuable contributions from Kristy Wallace, who was a second-round pick by the franchise in 2018 but just made her WNBA debut this season due to two torn ACLs. After scoring 17 points in a win over Phoenix last Sunday, Wallace had a season-high 19 against the Lynx and made five threes against Minnesota after making only five in her first eight games overall.

While the Dream certainly appear to be a much-improved team, their record is a bit deceiving. Their only win thus far against a team currently with a winning record is a road win over the Dallas Wings to open the season.

Chicago Sky vs. Atlanta Dream Prediction and Picks

Sky vs. Dream Prediction: Sky to win

Sky vs. Dream Picks: Sky -4.5 (-110 at Bovada Sportsbook)

Atlanta is certainly headed in the right direction this season and should record double-digit wins for the first time since 2018, but they are not yet on the level that Sky, inconsistent as they may be, are.

Look for the Sky and their talented group of veterans to take care of business tonight and pick up their sixth win of the season.