Dream vs Mystics Picks, Player Props, Predictions & Odds on May 16

• The Atlanta Dream are 6.5-point favorites over the Washington Mystics on Opening Night in the WNBA
• Atlanta made a pair of key offeseason moves bringing in Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones
• See my Dream vs Mystics picks and predictions below, plus player props and game odds

The WNBA season tips-off tonight with a three-game slate. Up first is the Atlanta Dream visiting the Washington Mystics, in a game I’m betting the Dream will dominate. The action gets underway at 7:30pm ET inside Washington’s CareFirst Arena, with ION providing the broadcast coverage.

Atlanta Dream vs Washington Mystics Picks

• Atlanta Dream -6.5 (-110 at FanDuel)

Few teams made more moves this past offseason to improve their outlook than Atlanta. The Dream lured longtime NCAA coach Karl Smesko away from Florida Golf Coast, and significantly bolstered an already strong defense.

Atlanta added Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones, two of the biggest free agent prizes. The duo combined for 3 blocks and 2 steals per game in 2024, while Griner is still a force on offense. She averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists a season ago, and will upgrade a team that ranked last in offensive rating.

Smesko’s coaching philosophy is built around defense and threes. That system should dramatically increase the ceiling of top scorers Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, as they’re expected to launch more triples than ever before. The duo, along with Griner, are three of the WNBA’s top-25 players. The Mystics on the other hand, don’t boast a single woman on that list.

Dream vs Mystics Advanced Stats (2024)

Speaking of Washington, they check in with the third longest WNBA Championship odds. They’re in complete rebuild mode, having traded away leading scorer Ariel Atkins and veteran Karli Samuelson for 1st round draft picks. They turned those picks into Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, but we can’t expect too much production from rookies in their WNBA debuts.

The Mystics have a major hole at the point guard position to deal with as well. Starting guard Georgia Amoore suffered an injury in practice and may be lost for the season. This team is inexperienced and short on depth, something the Dream will expose.

Dream vs Mystics Odds

Odds as of May 16 at DraftKings and FanDuel. See the DraftKings promo code details before signing up.

The best place to back Atlanta against the spread is at FanDuel. They have the Dream listed as -6.5 point favorites, and -290 on the moneyline. Washington comes back as a +225 underdog, while the total sits at 156.5.

ATL vs WAS Player Props

WNBA props from DraftKings and FanDuel on May 16. Download the top NBA betting apps before the NBA playoffs.

Switching over to the player props market, where you’ll notice the menu isn’t as robust as an NBA game. Nevertheless, there’s still value to be had and I’m looking to capitalize on the Dream’s anticipated boost in three-point volume.

Atlanta Dream vs Washington Mystics Predictions

• Rhyne Howard Over 3.5 Threes (+128 at DraftKings

In two preseason games under Smesko, Atlanta hoisted 72 three-point attempts. I believe given his style of play, that’s a sign of things to come. No player is going to benefit more than Howard, who launched 20 three-pointers in those two exhibition contests.

Howard made six of those 20 looks, but fared much better in her second outing going 4-of-9. With the projected volume she’s about to see tonight, targeting her to splash 4 triples again is a strong bet at +128 odds.