I love an early-season matchup between contenders. The Atlanta Dream have the best record in the WNBA, and the Minnesota Lynx aren’t far behind them. This is a great chance for the two teams to take the measure of one another.

Tipoff is set for 9:10 p.m. ET. The Dream are 2.5-point road favorites with -148 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. A Lynx upset is priced at +124. The game total is set at O/U 164.5 points.

Let’s get into a pick and prediction for this Dream vs. Lynx game.

Dream vs. Lynx Preview

So far, the Dream boast the top defensive rating in the league. That’s what happens when you add Angel Reese to a team that already has Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Jordin Canada. They can throw out some tough defensive lineups whenever they want, and Reese is the glue that brings it all together.

The offense remains a work in progress. Acclimating Reese, who has never been an efficient scorer, has been difficult. It’s a tall task for them to get Reese and Howard, who also struggles with efficiency, on the same page. But it sure helps to have Gray, one of the most versatile shooters in the league. Canada’s drive, along with Naz Hillmon’s all-around scoring versatility, will help this starting lineup improve as a scoring unit. But they have plenty of bandwidth to figure that out, with the defense humming along.

It speaks to the quality of the Lynx organization and head coach Cheryl Reeve that they’re remaining so good without Napheesa Collier. Olivia Miles, the No. 2 pick, has hit the ground running. Courtney Williams is enjoying life as the secondary backcourt option for a change. Kayla McBride continues to provide all-around value, while Natasha Howard has fit in seamlessly. That quarter has carried this team into the top six in both offensive and defensive rating.

Of course, Minnesota will need Phee if they want to go get anywhere this season. Good news for them: she’s on track to start on-court activities in early June. With her teammates picking her up and continuing to rack up wins, there’s no need for Minnesota’s superstar to push her rehab.

So much of this hangs on Atlanta’s offense. Minnesota has a solid defensive group, but its depth and lack of size can be exploited, especially by a team like Atlanta. That means Reese will have to get busy in the paint and clean her plate. If they can generate consistent offense, this one will get interesting.

Now we know these teams better. Who is going to come out the winner?

Dream vs. Lynx Pick, Best Bet

The Lynx have been an awesome story, but the Dream are a defensive machine. Miles sure doesn’t look like a rookie, but the ball pressure they can bring will make a big difference. Atlanta’s ability to muck up Minnesota’s sets will dictate the flow of the game, and allow their struggling offense enough grace to get the job done.

Best Bet: Atlanta Dream -3.5 (-105)