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Dream-Shock Preview

Aug 27, 2009 - 6:10 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Atlanta (15-12) at Detroit (12-14), 7:30 p.m. EDT

An impressive run at home has put the Atlanta Dream in prime position for an unlikely playoff berth. For the second-year club to get there, however, it's going to have to prove it can win on the road.

That's where six of the Dream's last seven games will take place, starting with a five-game swing that opens Thursday night against the surging Detroit Shock, who have won three straight overall but are 0-3 against Atlanta this year.

A year ago, the Dream were finishing off the worst season in league history at 4-30 while Detroit ultimately won its third WNBA championship.

Things have rapidly changed, especially for Atlanta (15-12). Buoyed by an offense that has averaged 91.6 points in the last 10 games, the Dream have won eight times in that stretch to move into second place in the Eastern Conference.

They beat Sacramento 103-83 on Tuesday even without leading scorer Chamique Holdsclaw (13.9 ppg), who has missed the last two games with a knee problem. The club announced Thursday that Holdsclaw is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on her right knee performed earlier this week and will miss "a few games."

They didn't need Holdsclaw to impress the Monarchs, whose coach, John Whisenant, called Atlanta "the best second-year expansion team in the history of the league." Iziane Castro Marques scored 30 points while Angel McCoughtry added 20.

Castro Marques has averaged 28.0 points in the two games without Holdsclaw, while McCoughtry - the league's top-scoring rookie - seems to be finding a groove, averaging 25.7 points on 60.4 percent shooting in her last three contests.

"We are having so much fun," Castro Marques said. "This team is just getting better and better."

Things may be tougher, however, on this trip, which takes the team to the West Coast after this game. The Dream are 4-7 on the road.

Although Atlanta won 98-95 at the Palace of Auburn Hills on July 22, Detroit is in the midst of its longest winning streak of the season.

The Shock (12-14) are in a virtual tie with Washington and Chicago for the East's final playoff spot as they try to reach the postseason for the seventh straight year. They made a major statement Tuesday with a 90-70 road win over Connecticut.

"We're not in a position where we can give any games away," forward Taj McWilliams said. "This was a very important win for our playoff hopes."

While rookie Shavonte Zellous continued her emergence by scoring in double figures for the eighth straight game off the bench, Katie Smith led the way with 19 points, hitting 5 of 6 from 3-point range.

Smith has elevated her game just in time for the Shock, averaging 22.3 points and hitting 14 of 21 from beyond the arc during the team's winning streak.