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Shock-Dream Preview

Sep 17, 2009 - 5:09 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Detroit (18-16) at Atlanta (18-16), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The defending WNBA champion Detroit Shock opened the playoffs showing the mettle of a team that has won three titles in the past six seasons.

The Atlanta Dream displayed the inexperience of a postseason newcomer.

Detroit looks to win a fourth consecutive first-round series Friday night and spoil the Dream's home playoff debut when the teams meet in Game 2 of the best-of-three Eastern Conference semifinals.

Trailing No. 2 seed Atlanta 61-48 midway through the third quarter Wednesday, the third-seeded Shock scored 19 unanswered points over the next 5:14 and went on to win 94-89 to grab a 1-0 series lead.

"This is a testament to our team - we weren't going to give up," Detroit coach Rick Mahorn said.

Even without Plenette Pierson (shoulder) and Katie Smith (back), the Shock improved to 12-6 at The Palace of Auburn Hills as seven of eight players who saw action scored at least seven points.

Deanna Nolan hit three 3-pointers and scored 25 points while Kara Braxton had 16 and seven rebounds off the bench.

"We're not 100 percent - we don't have Plenette, we don't have Katie, I'm not 100 percent, others aren't - but this is the playoffs," Alexis Hornbuckle said after scoring 15 points. "We can't lose this game and say that we've got two games left. You've got to win every time you have a chance."

Nolan is expected to play Friday despite suffering a concussion and leaving Wednesday's game after being fouled with 16.1 seconds remaining.

"Right now we'll assess that after the doctors look at her, but I think she'll be ready to play on Friday," Mahorn told the Shock's official Web site. "She did a great job tonight."

After Nolan was taken off the court, Atlanta coach Marynell Meadors was able to choose who would shoot Detroit's two foul shots with the Dream trailing 90-89. She opted for Crystal Kelly, an 85-percent career free-throw shooter, instead of Olayinka Sanni or Braxton, who both made less than 70 percent from the line this season.

"I guess since she made the shots, you can say I made a mistake," said Meadors, whose club defeated Detroit in three of four regular-season meetings. "We thought she would be cold, since she hadn't played since the first half. If she misses the shots, I would have looked pretty good."

Atlanta lost five of nine to end the regular season after Chamique Holdsclaw injured her right knee, but even with the six-time All-Star playing her first game since Aug. 20, the Dream were unable to finish a game they led by as many as 18 points. Holdsclaw scored three in 13 minutes.

"This is very frustrating, because we know we missed a great opportunity to win on their home floor," Dream guard Iziane Castro-Marques said after scoring 25 points. "Now we've got to go back to Atlanta and win two games."

With "Sesame Street Live" playing at Philips Arena, this contest as well as Game 3 on Sunday, if necessary, are being held at the Gwinnett Arena in Duluth, Ga.