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Malik Smith predicts that the New York Liberty will face an uphill battle against the Atlanta Dream in Game 2 of their WNBA playoff series, scheduled for Wednesday. With Allisha Gray's injury significantly impacting the Dream’s offensive capabilities, the game is expected to focus heavily on defense. The total points prediction has dropped from 172.5 to 170.5, and Smith advises betting on the under at -110 odds through BetMGM.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In the WNBA semifinals, the Atlanta Dream face the New York Liberty in Game 2 after winning Game 1. With Allisha Gray playing just 11 minutes due to a hand injury before exiting early, her absence as the team's leading scorer is significant for Game 2. Despite this setback, the Dream boast a strong defense that led the league with 9.1 steals per game and forced 16 turnovers per game during the regular season. Oddsmakers slightly favor the home team, Atlanta, by setting them at -1.5 points ahead of Wednesday's matchup, down from an initial spread of -3.5. The total score prediction has also dropped to 170.5 from 172.5.
Written for “WNBA Playoffs Prediction” on 2026-10-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
The Liberty had an extra day to mull over their Game 1 loss to the Dream in their WNBA semifinal series.
asserted
Liberty → have → series
After two days, the Liberty have a chance to even the series at 1-1, but they’ll need to fix a few things to overcome a Dream squad growing in confidence with every win.
asserted
they → have → win
Oddsmakers give the home team the slight edge in Wednesday’s Game 2 with the Dream sitting at -1.5 ahead of the matchup, down from the opening number of -3.5.
asserted
Dream → give → -3.5
The total has dropped as well since opening lines were released, moving from 172.5 to 170.5.
Liberty vs. Dream Game 2 prediction
Allisha Gray’s injury looms large over Game 2.
asserted
injury → drop → Game
She only played 11 minutes after suffering a hand injury early in the game, but as the Dream’s leading scorer, her presence will be missed.
asserted
presence → play → scorer
Atlanta has thrived offensively in the postseason thanks to contributions from across the board, but Gray, who was their leading scorer in the regular season, is tough to replace.
asserted
who → thrive → season
The upside for the Dream is they can lean on their defense, which has been as spectacular in the playoffs as it was in the regular season.
asserted
it → lean → season
The Dream paced the league in steals per game (9.1) and turnovers forced per game (16) during the regular season and those numbers have exploded in the playoffs.
asserted
numbers → pace → playoffs
The sample size is small of course, but the Dream are averaging 13.3 steals and forcing 21 turnovers through three playoff games.
asserted
Dream → average → games
Led by Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese, who was flying around the court in Game 1, the Dream were able to weather a late run from the Liberty and put the game away to go up 1-0 in the series.
asserted
Dream → lead → series
The Liberty should be concerned by a few things from Game 1.
asserted
Liberty → concern → Game
They got six points from their bench, gave up 32 points off turnovers and were outscored 18-0 on fast break points.
asserted
They → get → points
The turnovers have been an issue for them all season and it’s unlikely that will change as the Dream will turn up the pressure and try to beat them in the possession game to fill the scoring void Gray will leave.
asserted
Gray → ’ → void
They can avoid compounding the problem and giving up easy points on the break by simply getting back in transition and avoiding telegraphed crosscourt passes.
asserted
They → avoid → passes
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I expect Game 2 will be even more physical on both sides — Jonquel Jones said as much in the postgame Sunday — which should slow the pace down in this game.
asserted
which → get → game
And while DeWanna Bonner was awesome off the bench in Game 1, and should be good in Game 2, I don’t think we can expect back-to-back 20-point games from her.
asserted
we → think → her
That, combined with Gray’s absence, should bring the scoring down.
asserted
That → combine → scoring
This game will be decided on the defensive end and I think we’re headed for a lower-scoring affair.
asserted
we → decide → affair
The Pick: Under 170.5 (-110, BetMGM)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Malik Smith has been immersed in the sports betting industry since 2017.
asserted
Smith → trust → 2017
He’s a data nerd with a particular focus on the NBA and combat sports.
asserted
He → ’ → NBA
He spends his weeknights in the winter looking for edges on plus-money NBA player props.
asserted
He → spend → props
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