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Cheyenne Parker has a telling description of what has ailed the Atlanta Dream these days.
“Proper now, we’re missing toughness,” Parker mentioned. “That is what it’ll take for us to get to that subsequent degree.”
Losers in 5 of its final six video games, together with all three on final week’s Western Convention street swing, Atlanta will push for homecourt benefit within the first spherical of the WNBA playoffs when it hosts the Chicago Sky on Friday evening in School Park, Ga.
The Dream (15-16) are 1 1/2 video games behind the Dallas Wings for the No. 4 seed, the cutoff for homecourt benefit as soon as the playoffs start. However latest tendencies present an ominous signal, significantly with inconsistent protection. Throughout its six-game stumble, Atlanta has allowed a minimum of 85 factors 4 instances.
Coupled with capturing woes by prime scorer Rhyne Howard, wins have been onerous to come back by. Howard is barely 31-of-88 (35.2 %) during the last six video games, though she nonetheless averages 17.5 factors per sport on the season.
Chicago (12-18) is also in quest of higher play. The Sky have dropped three in a row, together with an 83-76 resolution on Sunday at Washington, to fall right into a tie with Los Angeles for the eighth and last playoff spot.
“We weren’t ready nicely and that’s my duty,” mentioned Chicago interim coach Emre Vatansever. “I take possession of that. I might have ready them nicely and I did not.”
Protection has been a giant downside for Chicago. The crew allowed a minimum of 83 factors in eight straight video games, coughing up 107 final month in a loss at Las Vegas. For a crew in the course of the league in scoring at 80.5 factors per sport, it has been a recipe for failure.
Kahleah Copper is pacing the Sky’s scoring assault at 18.9 factors, whereas Marina Mabrey is at 15.0 factors and Courtney Williams contributes 10.1.
The Dream are aiming for a season sweep of Chicago. They’ve received the primary three conferences, together with an 83-65 resolution on Could 30 in School Park.
—Area Stage Media
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