The Atlanta Dream edged the Washington Mystics Sunday, 73-67 to stay alive in the hunt for a playoffs slot in the loaded Eastern Conference.
The Mystics are still vying for that berth, only needing a single win to complete the eight-team cast for 2015.
There were a lot of positives to take away from this game, and although the Dream only has a small chance of cracking the playoffs, their performance towards the end of the regular season provides a glimpse of what they can do in the future.
The Dream started with a 3-big unit of Damiris Dantas, Aneika Henry, and Sancho Lyttle to match the Mystics' side to side movements and high ball screens.
On offense, it also gave Atlanta more offensive rebounds and second chance opportunities. Usually it was Lyttle doing the back to basket game, while Dantas gets touches from a face-up position as she has the ability to put the ball down.
Later, Angel McCoughtry checked in at the three, and gave Atlanta more driving opportunities with her aggressiveness.
For Atlanta, having Hayes in the fold as their main backcourt player is key to success. There has been a lot of shuffling for Michael Cooper at the start of the season although right now, it is clear that Hayes is now the face of the Dream's backcourt.
Hayes' production steadily increased from month to month, from 12.2 to 12.4 to 13.8 to 17 points/game. Her field goal percentage also increased from about 38 in the first two to around 45 in the last two months.
She is getting more touches and when Atlanta goes big, the key is for Hayes to move well without the leather to be a recipient of wide-open shots.
Shoni Schimmel's increase in minutes from around 16 in the first two months to 24 in the last two has also resulted to better performances for the team. She is there as the main facilitator with her amazing ability to read and attack the basket, and also provides offense as reflected by doubling her output.
In transition, Schimmel and McCoughtry are also gifted finishers.
The addition of Dantas and Reshanda Gray via the Erika De Souza trade gave Atlanta more options underneath. With Henry also in the fold, that's extra depth for the Dream in the future.
Dantas and Henry are developing decent jumpers from about 10-13 feet, another plus for that frontcourt.
With such weapons, McCoughtry does not have to take charge every single game. That saves her energy and allows her to take less attempts.
While the Dream may bow out of playoff contention this year, the foreseeable future looks just fine for the team.
The Mystics are still vying for that berth, only needing a single win to complete the eight-team cast for 2015.
At the end of the game your @AtlantaDream win by 6 points! 73-67 Dream win! @tiphayes3 lead with 19 points. #LiveIt pic.twitter.com/PYfERz8fdd
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) September 6, 2015
There were a lot of positives to take away from this game, and although the Dream only has a small chance of cracking the playoffs, their performance towards the end of the regular season provides a glimpse of what they can do in the future.
The Dream started with a 3-big unit of Damiris Dantas, Aneika Henry, and Sancho Lyttle to match the Mystics' side to side movements and high ball screens.
On offense, it also gave Atlanta more offensive rebounds and second chance opportunities. Usually it was Lyttle doing the back to basket game, while Dantas gets touches from a face-up position as she has the ability to put the ball down.
Later, Angel McCoughtry checked in at the three, and gave Atlanta more driving opportunities with her aggressiveness.
For Atlanta, having Hayes in the fold as their main backcourt player is key to success. There has been a lot of shuffling for Michael Cooper at the start of the season although right now, it is clear that Hayes is now the face of the Dream's backcourt.
Hayes' production steadily increased from month to month, from 12.2 to 12.4 to 13.8 to 17 points/game. Her field goal percentage also increased from about 38 in the first two to around 45 in the last two months.
She is getting more touches and when Atlanta goes big, the key is for Hayes to move well without the leather to be a recipient of wide-open shots.
Shoni Schimmel's increase in minutes from around 16 in the first two months to 24 in the last two has also resulted to better performances for the team. She is there as the main facilitator with her amazing ability to read and attack the basket, and also provides offense as reflected by doubling her output.
In transition, Schimmel and McCoughtry are also gifted finishers.
The addition of Dantas and Reshanda Gray via the Erika De Souza trade gave Atlanta more options underneath. With Henry also in the fold, that's extra depth for the Dream in the future.
Dantas and Henry are developing decent jumpers from about 10-13 feet, another plus for that frontcourt.
With such weapons, McCoughtry does not have to take charge every single game. That saves her energy and allows her to take less attempts.
While the Dream may bow out of playoff contention this year, the foreseeable future looks just fine for the team.
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