Dream vs. Valkyries Recap: Howard and Canada Cash in a Grind

Golden State beat Atlanta 64-55 at home in a defensive grind. The Valkyries led 25-22 at the half, then won the third quarter 21-18 and pulled away, leading by as many as 16. Atlanta shot 19-of-65 from the field, 29 percent, and made 6 of its 26 threes. Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton each scored 13 for Golden State. Two DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game, both on Atlanta players.

What cashed

Rhyne Howard 20+ points + rebounds + assists (-229 at DraftKings): CASHED

• Our read: Howard had cleared 20 PRA in 8 of her last 10, with 28 in Game 4 (19 points, 8 rebounds) over 37 minutes. Allisha Gray was shooting 29 percent in the Finals on a sore hand, which pushed more usage to Howard. The main line was 22.5.
• What happened: 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists for 27 in 39 minutes, 7.5 over the alt. She cleared the main line too. Gray scored 10 on 1-of-4 from three.
• Worth watching: On a night Atlanta struggled to score, Howard still carried the load and played 39 minutes. When usage shifts like this, her combo lines are worth a look.

Jordin Canada 10+ points (-176 at DraftKings): CASHED

• Our read: Canada had scored 10+ in 9 of her last 10, including 13, 10 and 10 in Games 2-4 while playing 33-38 minutes at the point. The main line was 10.5.
• What happened: 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in 31 minutes, 2.5 over. She was one of only two Atlanta players with more than 10.
• Worth watching: Her minutes at the point give her a steady scoring floor. The alt at 10+ took away the hook on the main line.

How the game played out

Neither offense found much rhythm. Golden State shot 39 percent and made 6 threes of its own, but it blocked 9 shots, and Atlanta committed 15 turnovers. Angel Reese grabbed 15 rebounds for the Dream and Naz Hillmon added 11, and Atlanta won the glass 44-33, but it could not turn the extra possessions into points.

Trends to watch

• Howard and Canada combined for 32 of Atlanta's 55 points. Dream scoring props start with those two.
• Golden State's defense held Atlanta to 55. Unders on Dream team totals are worth watching when the shooting is this cold.
• Reese's 15 rebounds in 33 minutes keeps her rebound line in play.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. For more on these markets, see player prop, alt line and hook, or read more game recaps.