Final
Sky-Dream Preview
Aug 16, 2010 - 7:06 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS WriterChicago (13-18) at Atlanta (19-13), 7:00 p.m. EDT
A victory over Chicago in its last game helped Atlanta snap its losing streak and clinch a playoff berth. Another win against the Sky can possibly help the Dream improve their position in the Eastern Conference.
The Dream look to win the season series and snap a four-game home losing streak against Chicago on Tuesday night.
In its third season since joining the WNBA, Atlanta (19-13) is making its second playoff appearance. The Dream secured a postseason berth with a 98-74 win at Chicago on Saturday to snap a four-game skid.
Atlanta, which had lost each of its previous four games by 10 or fewer points, led by as many as 35 in the second half and shot 56.1 percent overall.
"They decided that that was enough," coach Marynell Meadors said. "They came out and played like they have been playing throughout the season, with a lot of enthusiasm and passion for the game. They shared the ball extremely well and played some really good defense."
After securing the playoff berth, Meadors' team is now looking to improve its seeding. The Dream are a half-game behind third-place Washington and a game back of second-place New York. However, they only have two games remaining while the Mystics have three and the Liberty have four left.
Atlanta closes the season at home against Washington on Sunday.
While the Dream routed the Sky (13-18) over the weekend, they haven't always had such an easy time against the East's last-place team. The clubs have split their four meetings and Chicago has won both of its visits to Atlanta, most recently posting an 88-82 victory July 3.
The Sky, who have lost six of seven, will try to bounce back after one of their worse defensive efforts of the year. They allowed their most points of the season and opponents are averaging 89.2 in their last five games.
Chicago is allowing 76.5 points per game - fifth-fewest in the league.
"We should be embarrassed for (this) kind of play," coach Steven Key said. "The hard part for us is that we know that's not us as a team. That's not the way we practice, that's not the way we played all season long."
Sylvia Fowles scored 14 points Saturday to surpass 1,000 for the season. She's averaging 19.8 in four games against the Dream this year.
- WNBA
CHICAGO 84
ATLANTA 79 FINAL
Aug 17 9:03 PM - WNBA
CHICAGO 25
ATLANTA 23 END, 1ST QTR
Aug 17 7:28 PM
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