The Atlanta Dream are making headway in the WNBA, taking down the Chicago Sky, 82-68, and winning their fourth straight game. They now own the second-longest winning streak in the league.
The Dream had early contributions from their starting five in tonight’s game. Guard Rhyne Howard starts the offense with a quick bucket, and they respond to her lead. Additionally, early contributions from All-Stars Cheyenne Parker and Allisha Gray help the Dream jump out to a 21-17 lead by the end of the quarter. Nevertheless, the Sky do not go quietly.
By midway through the second quarter, they trade made buckets for missed buckets with the Dream. Sky Guards Marina Mabrey and Kaleah Copper take advantage of lousy transition defense and attack the basket. Copper’s ten-point quarter has the Sky within one point as the Dream miss a staggering eight shots with time ticking down. Their one-point lead at halftime is shaky at best.
The third quarter is a heavyweight fight. The barrage of offensive punches from the Sky comes early, and the Dream take some tough shots to the chin on a 6-0 run. However, Coffey slices through the Sky’s defense with a vicious two-point uppercut, igniting the team. Contributions from Gray, Robinson, Parker, and the bench withstand the Sky’s advances. By the end of three quarters, the Dream lead 59-58.
The Dream explode in the fourth quarter with a 15-1 run that includes back-to-back three-point shots from Howard and Gray and extra firepower from forward Naz Hillmon. The Sky pull the score within ten, but after a Dream timeout, the jabs continue. Gray’s 21 game-leading points ultimately propel the Dream to an 82-68 win.
The Dream have another chance Sunday to continue their win streak. They play the Sky at 8:00 P.M. Eastern.
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