Peachtree Hoops - June 13: Dream 85, Lynx 82The place to read about/discuss the Atlanta Hawks.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/8811/peachtree-fave.jpg2014-06-15T08:55:41-04:00http://www.peachtreehoops.com/rss/stream/55705612014-06-15T08:55:41-04:002014-06-15T08:55:41-04:00Dream get defensive in win over Lynx
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<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Dream saw a big early lead evaporate in the second half but held on long enough to escape with an 85-82 confidence boosting win over the Minnesota Lynx. </p> <p>The Atlanta Dream saw a 20 point lead disappear in the second half Friday night but they had just enough to hold on for an 85-82 win over the Minnesota Lynx Friday night at Philips Arena. The win was Atlanta's third straight and gives the Dream a confidence boost against the team that swept them in a pair of Finals appearances.</p>
<p>Atlanta came out strong with a superb defensive effort and dominated the first half. The Dream got off to a strong defensive start shadowing the WNBA's leading scorer Maya Moore with Tiffany Hayes who limited her to just two shot attempts in the first 20 minutes. Atlanta led by as many as 20 points late in the half but settled for a 50-33 advantage at the intermission.</p>
<p>Minnesota predictably came out firing in the third quarter behind Lindsay Whalen and Moore along with Seimone Augustus who were finally finding some room to operate. A bucket by Moore with 6:29 remaining in the third cut Atlanta's lead to just nine. Angel McCoughtry responded with a pair of back-to-back pull up threes in transition to stretch the lead back to 15 on the Dream's next two possessions. Neither shot would be categorized as great shots but they both went in and the result was a huge momentum shift for the Dream.</p>
<p>The Lynx kept pressing though and a pair of Moore free throws cut the lead to 82-80 with 1:58 remaining. McCoughtry and Augustus traded baskets to make it 84-82 before Whaling's game-tying attempt missed and was rebounded by the Dream sealing the victory.</p>
<p>McCoughtry led the Dream with 23 points, six rebounds and five assists. She finished just 7-20 from the field but this was a nice game for Angel as she hit some big shots particularly in the second half when the Lynx were making their run. She along with Hayes also did an excellent job of making things difficult for Augustus and Moore.</p>
<p>Erika de Souza scored 13 of her 16 points in the first half and grabbed 11 rebounds to go with three blocked shots. Sancho Lyttle recorded a double-double of her own with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.</p>
<p>In addition to a good defensive performance, Tiffany Hayes scored 15 points including three three-pointers. Jasmine Thomas also finished with three made threes and scored 13. As a team the Dream were 9-15 from beyond-the-arc.</p>
<p>Whalen led the Lynx with 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Janel McCarville added 18 while Augustus chipped in 17. Moore finished with just 10 and her and Augustus combined to go 8-25 from the field.</p>
<p>Minnesota is a two-time champion so I doubt this loss does anything to them. They will pick up and move on to the next challenge. For the Dream it is a solid win and a confidence boost against a team they have struggled against and one that is a measuring stick in many ways for them.</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2014/6/15/5811638/lynx-vs-dream-final-scoreKris Willis2014-06-13T14:00:08-04:002014-06-13T14:00:08-04:00Dream set to take on defending champs
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Dream are riding a two-game winning streak and look to keep it going when they square off in a Finals rematch with the Minnesota Lynx Friday night at Philips Arena. </p> <p>Conference leaders face off Friday night at Philips Arena as the Atlanta Dream face the Minnesota Lynx in a rematch of last seasons Finals. After an up and down start, the Dream seem to be putting things together and have one two straight and climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference standings with a 5-3 record. Minnesota has picked right back up where they left off last season winning eight of their first nine games.</p>
<p>The Dream haven't played since last Saturday when they dismantled the Chicago Sky 97-59. Atlanta moved to 4-1 on the season at Philips Arena but they have had very little success recently against the Lynx. Including the playoffs, Minnesota has taken 12 of 13 from Atlanta.</p>
<p>The game will feature a match up of one of the league's best offense against one of the best defenses. Minnesota leads the WNBA in offensive rating at 109.1. Atlanta is second in defensive rating at 96.9. The Dream's perimeter defense will get a stiff test as they try and deal with the Lynx's high scoring combo of Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus.</p>
<p>Moore is off to a great start and is leading the WNBA in scoring at 24.1 points per game. Augustus is averaging 19.7 points while shooting 54 percent from the field.</p>
<p>For the Dream, Erika de Souza is off to the best start of her career averaging 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds. She was just rewarded with her first Player of the Week award. Sancho Lyttle is also averaging close to a double-double and along with Angel McCoughtry need to attack the paint against the Lynx.</p>
<p>For the Lynx, Friday's game will probably be viewed as just another regular season game. For the Dream however, it is a chance to show that they aren't the same team that has been swept in all three of their appearances in the Finals. Michael Cooper was brought on board to help get them over the hump. Its still early but this is their first chance at seeing where they measure up.</p>
<h3>Game Info</h3>
<p><b>Game Date/Time: </b>Friday June 13, 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>SportSouth</p>
<p><b>Live Streaming:</b> WNBA Live Access</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2014/6/13/5806482/2014-wnba-lynx-vs-dream-preview-time-tvKris Willis