WNBA Finals Picks: Dream, Valkyries and Gabby Williams Best Bets

It’s all about new blood as the WNBA Finals gets underway on Saturday.

The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries are the two teams left standing and neither team has won a league title.

Of course, the Valkyries are in their second season so plaudits are in order for them to be in the finals this soon. The Dream were part of the championship round in 2010, 2011 and 2013 and came up empty all three times.

There’s really no telling who will win this best-of-seven matchup. The Valkyries are the second seeds and the Dream are fourth. But there is this: Golden State won all three regular-season matchups.

ATLANTA ABOUT TO BECOME DREAM WEAVERS

The Dream are 5-0 in the postseason and looked solid during a three-game sweep of the New York Liberty in the semifinals. Jordin Canada has recorded 10 or more assists three times this postseason and she also has two 20-point outings along with teammates Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese.

Atlanta expects to have All-Star guard Allisha Gray (left hand) back in the lineup after she missed the last two-plus games of the New York series. A healthy Gray gives the Dream a slight edge over the Valkyries.

Golden State has a belief that packs more punch than its overall talent level. Gabby Williams has become a star with the Valkyries and she’s a fearless competitor in addition to not being afraid to shoot.

Dream to win series in seven games, -105

VALKYRIES TO GET DEFENSIVE IN GAME 1

The Valkyries reached the Finals by recording a three-game sweep of the Las Vegas Aces, who had won three of the previous four titles. Taking down five-time MVP A’ja Wilson and her experienced teammates are the lone sign needed to know Golden State belongs on this stage.

The Valkyries were a league-best 17-5 at home this season and having the first two games in San Francisco could be a big advantage. Williams will have to carry a defensive-minded squad that typically gets solid efforts from Veronica Burton (9.5 points per game in the postseason) and Kiah Stokes (9.5 rebounds).

Atlanta can also play strong defense and Reese won Defensive Player of the Year honors to lead the way. The uncertainty about Gray’s health is good enough evidence to expect Golden State to land the opening salvo.

Valkyries to win -2.5 spread, -108

GABBY WILLIAMS WILL HAVE A NON-STOP GREEN LIGHT

Howard (+275) and Gray (+350) figure to split the Atlanta scoring, making it tough to count on either to be top overall scorer in the series. Reese (+700) and Canada (+4000) are long shots but aren’t realistic betting choices.

Williams (+105) is taking 17.8 shots per game in the postseason and the second-most is coming from Tiffany Hayes at 9.7. Williams is averaging 22.7 points and shooting 40.5% from 3-point range in the postseason and it will be a big surprise if she’s not the top scorer in the Finals.

We can all agree that Reese (-900) will be the top rebounder but there’s no money to be made there. The second choice is Stokes (+600).

Gabby Williams to be the series leader in points, +105 (DraftKings)