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Shock-Dream Preview

Aug 12, 2009 - 8:24 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Detroit (9-11) at Atlanta (11-11), 7:30 p.m. EDT

Last year, the Atlanta Dream and Detroit Shock were about as far apart as two teams can be, which makes it somewhat surprising they're currently jockeying for the same playoff spots.

Their meeting in Atlanta on Thursday will be especially important as the surging Shock try to win a third straight game overall and avoid a third consecutive defeat to the Dream.

While Atlanta lost a league-record 30 games in its inaugural season last year, Detroit won its third WNBA title. The landscape has quickly changed in 2009.

The Dream (11-11) have rebounded to become one of several teams involved in a crowded Eastern Conference race. Atlanta is tied for third, but just 1 1/2 games separate second-place Connecticut from sixth-place Detroit (9-11), with the top four teams making the playoffs.

The Dream had won four straight to improve their positioning before losing 82-80 at home to Chicago on Saturday, as leading scorer Chamique Holdsclaw was held to four points on 2-of-8 shooting.

"We will be better," Atlanta coach Marynell Meadors said. "This was not our 'A' game. We know that and we still almost won."

The team also has received big contributions from rookie Angel McCoughtry and Sancho Lyttle, who was acquired in the dispersal draft from Houston, and the Dream are hoping another new addition will help.

They acquired 2007 rookie of the year Armintie Price from Chicago for guard Tamara Young on Wednesday, and Price could make her Atlanta debut in Thursday's game.

Detroit's fall has been as notable as the Dream's rise, but the Shock are hoping they've turned things around after their 2-7 start. Victories over contenders Sunday against Chicago and Tuesday at Washington were vital to help the team get back in the race.

They beat the Mystics 81-77 thanks to a 35-point fourth quarter, capped by Deanna Nolan's jumper that put them ahead for good. Nolan scored 23 points and is averaging 18.4 in five games this month.

"Deanna Nolan is a big key for our offense," Detroit coach Rick Mahorn said. "If she's rolling, so does our offense."

Nolan hasn't been at her best against the Dream this year, and it has cost Detroit. Her two lowest point totals have both come against Atlanta, including a season-low four points on 2-of-14 shooting in the Shock's previous visit to Philips Arena on June 26.

Detroit lost that game 96-86 and is 0-2 against the Dream after earning double-digit victories in all three meetings last year.