Seattle Storm vs Atlanta Dream: Jewell Loyd's Scoring Prop is a Must-Bet for Wednesday's Game

The Seattle Storm had a busy offseason searching for complementary pieces to surround 2023 WNBA leading scorer Jewell Loyd, but it hasn't fully worked out. However, things can quickly change with the Atlanta Dream in town. The Dream do a decent job of slowing down big-scoring guards, but they will have trouble keeping Loyd off the scoreboard if guard Allisha Gray doesn’t get her minutes. Gray left Monday night’s matchup against the Indiana Fever with face and lower back injuries. Her status for tonight’s tilt is up in the air, but Gray is an above-average defender, and without her, Atlanta's backcourt stop unit will take a hit. Seattle needs a win, and Loyd is its leading scorer. The Dream’s backcourt has allowed a 10th-best 32.6 field-goal attempts from inside the arc and 9.2 from downtown, which amounts to 36.2 backcourt points allowed per clash. That should open the door wide open for Loyd to make things happen. The Over on Loyd's scoring prop is calling out in my Dream vs. Storm predictions thanks to a soft matchup at home.

Seattle Storm vs. Atlanta Dream Predictions and Picks

The Seattle Storm's offseason moves were not only designed to help Jewell Loyd but to also help compete for a WNBA title. Things haven’t gone well since the Olympic break. The 30-year-old Notre Dame product’s scoring numbers have taken a hit. She’s gone from nearly 25 points per bout (2023) to barely averaging 20 and has only scored 25 or more in only nine of her last 38 games. Tonight’s matchup with the Atlanta Dream could offer a return to Loyd’s big-scoring ways.

Jewell Loyd Over 19.5 Points

Jewell Loyd is a key player for the Storm, and she is in a good spot to have a big game against the Dream. The Dream have struggled to defend guards, and they will be without Allisha Gray, who is questionable with a back injury. Gray is a good defender, and her absence will make it even easier for Loyd to score. Loyd is averaging 20.1 points per game this season, and she is capable of scoring 20 points or more on any given night. With the Dream's defense struggling, this is a great opportunity for Loyd to have a big game.

Skylar Diggins-Smith 6+ Assists

Seattle brought in Skylar Diggins-Smith this offseason to be the team's primary playmaker, and she’s been that and more. Diggins-Smith leads the team in dimes (6.3), but the Storm have shot miserably since the break. I look for that to change tonight. Seattle has too many legit scorers in shooting slumps but has a nice matchup against a Dream defense that has surrendered 42% from the field and 34% from downtown since the break. Diggins-Smith should have no problem finding her teammates for easy baskets in this game.

Allisha Gray Under 15.5 Points

Gray is listed as questionable tonight with a back injury, and she might not get the minutes if she dresses. If she does, she will likely be less than 100% against a Storm stop unit ranked third against opposing guards. Even if she plays, she won't be 100% and the Storm's defense is tough against opposing guards. I'm expecting a low-scoring game from Gray.

Seattle Storm vs Atlanta Dream Game Preview

The Storm are favored to win this game, and I agree with that assessment. The Dream have been struggling on the road, and they could be without one of their best players in Gray. The Storm are a good team at home, and they should be able to take care of business in this game.

Seattle Storm

The Seattle Storm are 18-11 on the season, and they are currently in second place in the WNBA. They are a good team on both ends of the court, and they are led by Jewell Loyd, who is averaging 20.1 points per game this season. The Storm are also getting good production from Skylar Diggins-Smith, who is averaging 15.6 points and 6.3 assists per game. The Storm are a good shooting team, and they are also a good defensive team. They are allowing just 78.2 points per game this season, which is the fourth-best mark in the league. The Storm are a tough team to beat at home, and they should be able to take care of business against the Dream.

Atlanta Dream

The Atlanta Dream are 10-19 on the season, and they are currently in 11th place in the WNBA. The Dream are a young team, and they are still trying to find their identity. They have a lot of potential, but they have been inconsistent this season. The Dream are led by Rhyne Howard, who is averaging 16.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. The Dream are a good shooting team, but they have struggled on defense. They are allowing 80.3 points per game this season, which is the fifth-worst mark in the league. The Dream will need to play much better on defense if they want to pull off an upset against the Storm.

The Verdict

The Seattle Storm are a much better team than the Atlanta Dream, and they should win this game. The Storm are playing at home, and they are a good team on both ends of the court. The Dream are struggling on the road, and they could be without one of their best players in Allisha Gray. The Storm should be able to take care of business in this game.

Key Players to Watch

Jewell Loyd: Loyd is the key player for the Storm, and she is in a good spot to have a big game against the Dream. Loyd is averaging 20.1 points per game this season, and she is capable of scoring 20 points or more on any given night. With the Dream's defense struggling, this is a great opportunity for Loyd to have a big game.
Skylar Diggins-Smith: Diggins-Smith is the Storm's primary playmaker, and she is averaging 15.6 points and 6.3 assists per game. Diggins-Smith should have no problem finding her teammates for easy baskets in this game.
Rhyne Howard: Howard is the key player for the Dream, and she is averaging 16.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Howard will need to have a big game if the Dream want to pull off an upset.

Seattle Storm vs Atlanta Dream Betting Trends

The Storm are 11-3 SU at home this season.
The Dream have lost 6 straight road games.
The Storm are 10-4 against the spread in their last 14 games.
The Dream are 6-10 against the spread in their last 16 games.
The Over is 6-1 in the Storm's last seven games playing on one day’s rest.

Seattle Storm vs Atlanta Dream Final Score Prediction

I am predicting that the Seattle Storm will defeat the Atlanta Dream by a score of 88-75. The Storm are a good team at home, and they should be able to take care of business against the Dream. The Dream are struggling on the road, and they could be without one of their best players in Allisha Gray.

Final Thoughts

This game is a good opportunity for the Storm to bounce back from a recent loss. The Dream are not a good team on the road, and they could be without one of their best players. The Storm should be able to take care of business in this game.