Dream vs. Valkyries Prediction: WNBA Finals Game 1 Preview

The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries meet in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Chase Center in San Francisco, on NBC and Peacock.

Get my Dream vs. Valkyries prediction based on the latest WNBA odds:

Dream vs. Valkyries Prediction: WNBA Finals Game 1

• Valkyries first-half spread (-1.5)

I’m comfortable laying the points with the Valkyries in the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. Their home-court advantage should help them get off to a fast start in a best-of-seven series.

No team in the WNBA finished the regular season with more home wins than the Valkyries, who have created quite the atmosphere in their second season. According to Across the Timeline, Golden State had the highest home attendance average this year (18,064).

Naturally, the Valkyries’ home-court advantage led to on-court success. They ranked second in the league with a home net rating of +10.4, thanks to the top defensive rating (98.2). In the first half, Golden State ranked first in both net rating (+21.4) and defensive rating (89.5).

The Valkyries have maintained their edge in the postseason. They lead all teams with a +25 first-half net rating at home in four games. They’ve led at the break in three of those four contests.

I prefer the Valkyries’ first-half markets over the full-game line due to the Dream’s recent form. Atlanta hasn’t lost since returning from the international break and carries a 10-game win streak into Saturday’s opener.

I suspect the Dream’s streak could end this weekend, but I’m more confident the Valkyries will start strong on Saturday.

Prediction: Valkyries first-half spread (-1.5)

Dream vs. Valkyries Odds: Saturday, Oct. 17

• Dream spread: +2.5
• Valkyries spread: -2.5
• Total: 154.5