Charlie Cummings breaks down his pick and prediction for Tuesday’s game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream.

Down the stretch of this WNBA season, there will be a lot of games with heavy playoff implications. Tuesday’s game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream is one such meeting.

At 15-10, the Atlanta Dream would host a first-round playoff series if the season ended today. They have some of the best balance in the league. All five Atlanta starters average 11 points per game or more while both their offensive and defensive ratings rank in the top four in the WNBA. They don’t have the top-five talent that some contenders boast, but they’re going to cause a lot of problems in the postseason.

The Golden State Valkyries are fighting to stay in the postseason race. They’re half a game behind the Mystics for the eighth seed, but it’s going to be an uphill battle. Without Kayla Thornton to tie the offense together, they’ll need their defense to lock in down the stretch. That wasn’t the case in their last game, surrendering 95 points to the bottom-barrel Sun. Every game could be do-or-die for the Valks.

The Dream are eight-point favorites at home and -375 on the Moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The total is set at 157 points. Let’s look at the best bets and predictions for this contest.

Dream vs. Valkyries prediction, pick

The story of this game will be told defensively. Two of the best defenses in the WNBA are going toe-to-toe here. But, without their All-Star Thornton, it’s difficult for the Valkyries to find an answer offensively. That’s going to cause major problems against the Dream.

Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray have an argument for the best two-way backcourt in the WNBA. Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner can hold it down inside the arc. Jordin Canada may be small, but she’s always a threat to pilfer the ball. Plus, Naz Hillmon brings it every night off the bench, which is why she’s a frontrunner for the 6POY award.

This is a lot of talent for the Valkyries to handle, with or without Thornton. Without her, they’re up a creek. Dream -8 looks like a top pick, but there’s another line worth checking out, too.

I’m also throwing something on the under with the total set at 157. I don’t trust Golden State’s offense to hold up its end of the bargain, but the defense could keep Atlanta in check just enough for this under to hit even in a Valkyries loss.

Top pick: Atlanta Dream -8 (-110)