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| All-Star Angel Mccoughtry |
Just one week ago, the defending Eastern Conference Champs, Atlanta Dream was sitting at 3-9 and unsure about the remainder of the season and their playoff contention. This team returned back to Atlanta after dropping those road games and finding out that Angel Mccoughtry was returning to the All Star Game to take on the Chicago Sky and the top-seeded Indiana Fever. On Saturday, the Atlanta Dream jumped out on a 20-7 run in the 1st quarter, however, behind a relentless inside game and the best center in the WNBA today, Sylvia Fowles, the Sky came from behind on a 15-2 run and tied the game and there was a tough battle for both clubs and went to the half tied at 33. In the 3rd quarter, the Dream and Sky would battle shot for shot in a game that could decide some things in the Eastern Conference race for the 2nd half of the WNBA season. At the end of the 3rd quarter, Sylvia Fowles and her young Chicago Sky basketball team played a great game, but the Atlanta Dream was coming back from a 7-point deficit that the Sky posted at one point in the quarter. When the 4th quarter began, Courtney Paris hit a shot to take a 2-point lead early in the quarter and the Atlanta Dream would go on to win 76-68. In that game, Arminitie Price, a key player from their bench who was getting more playing time due to the injury towards Kelly Miller, scored 13 points in the game and posted a career high 10 assists. Also, Angel Mccoughtry would score 24 points, which was the first time in four games that she scored more than 17 points. Atlanta got back to their dominance in the paint as they outscored the Chicago Sky 42-22 down in that area and when the Dream are getting that portion of their offense going, this team is unbeatable.
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| Coco Miller |
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| Arminitie Price |
After getting a much needed win against Chicago, the Atlanta Dream faced a challenge as Tamika Catchings and the Indiana Fever was coming to town. Coming into this matchup, Indiana had a 10-5 record, which was tied with the Phoenix Mercury for the best record in the WNBA. With a win, the Dream would climb their way back into the playoff hunt and close within 1.5 games of the 4th-seed Chicago Sky. The Dream played this game without Coco Miller and their 9th straight without All-Star forward Sancho Lyttle. The Dream and the Fever had a competitive 1st quarter. In the 2nd quarter, the Atlanta Dream extended their lead to 16 points at one point in this game and it looked as if the Dream would blow out the top seed Fever. However, the Fever would start aggressively drawing fouls and taking Atlanta's momentum away. The Fever successfully got Angel Mccoughtry and Arminitie Price in foul trouble and they would trim the lead to 5 but the Dream kept their consistency to take an 8 point lead to the locker room. In the 3rd quarter, the Liberty cut the Dream's lead to 50-47 at one point in the game and also got Angel Mccoughtry back in foul trouble. Atlanta went on a huge run sparked by Erika Desouza and Izi Castro Marquez, the Dream took a 10-point lead to the 4th quarter. In the 4th quarter, the Atlanta bench continued their dominance on the game and with Angel only playing 18 minutes, the Atlanta Dream beat the Indiana Fever 84-74. Atlanta now sits at 5-9 and is only 1.5 games out of the playoffs and with their winning streak, the East will be the most competitive conference in the WNBA in the 2nd half.
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| Lindsey Harding |
With the All-Star Break approaching, the Atlanta Dream is looking like a healthier WNBA contender for the 2nd half. The club will see the return of forward Sancho Lyttle and veteran guard Coco Miller. Sancho Lyttle have missed most of the games in the 1st half and will be a huge addition to the Atlanta lineup as they look to return to the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive season. Coco Miller will also return with a huge boost for this Dream squad from the bench. Miller, the 10-year vet from UGA, is averaging 8.2 points per game and that is her highest total since 2003. The Atlanta Dream is looking like they are ready to take another shot at bringing home a championship and returning to the WNBA Finals. Lindsey Harding, who was acquired from Washington before the season, struggled at first, but she is starting to finally click with her new club. Against Indiana, she scored 19 points for the Dream and filled the void of Angel Mccoughtry and they will play a major factor in the run to the WNBA playoffs. Some of the keys that the Dream must do to win many games in their 2nd half is running the fast-break, out-rebounding their opponents, and great defense. Atlanta is one of the best teams in the WNBA and when they are in a groove, this team is hard to beat and they will be a tough team in the Eastern Conference. The Dream will have a couple of tests in the 2nd half as they will play the WNBA Champion Seattle Storm at home on August 7th, this will be the first time they play since being swept in the WNBA Finals back in September. Another huge test will come against the LA Sparks as they face them at home on July 27th as Candace Parker and her team comes to Atlanta. This young Atlanta Dream team have a bright future ahead of them and they will play some competitive basketball starting after the All-Star Break. LET'S GO DREAM!!!!
http://www.wnba.com/video/wnba/2011/07/19/20110719indatlrecapdesktopmov-1766009
http://www.wnba.com/video/wnba/2011/07/16/20110716chiatlrecap1mov-1763516
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