The New York Liberty defeated the Atlanta Dream 83-69 on Sunday, kicking off a saturated playoff slate in dominant vogue. Because the No. 1 seed, they keep in Brooklyn with an opportunity to shut out the collection on Tuesday, whereas the No. 8-seed Dream will wrestle to pressure a Recreation 3 in Atlanta.
The rookie tipping the scales
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Predictions of a blowout had been rapidly validated on Sunday. Atlanta ended the primary quarter down 13, by no means taking a lead. The deficit swelled to 22 within the second half. Leonie Fiebich, the German rookie on the shortlist for Sixth Participant of the 12 months, made her postseason debut with a career-best 21 factors. The remainder of the field rating learn as anticipated. Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu mixed for 37. Atlanta was lead by Rhyne Howard’s 14 factors, coming at an uncomfortable 35-percent clip.
The Dream discovered scattered successes, however none will minimize the bitter style of Sunday’s loss. They led the sport in factors within the paint, offensive rebounds, second-chance factors, fastbreak factors and factors off turnovers. Their reserves saved tempo; Ezinne Kalu, Haley Jones, Lorela Cubaj and Laeticia Amihere all appeared aggressive in restricted minutes off the bench.
Kalu continues to be an inspiring story for worldwide hoopers who’ve but to debut within the W. The 32-year-old guard signed a hardship contract earlier than the ultimate recreation of the common season after impressing in Olympic motion with the Nigerian nationwide crew. Sunday was her second-ever WNBA recreation, and she or he led the Dream in plus/minus.
The Liberty in all probability performed barely under their very own requirements within the fourth quarter, however no sleep might be misplaced within the Massive Apple. Flexing their depth took a load off the starters and promoted a model of team-first basketball that they’ve mastered. The revenge tour is effectively underway.
One final Dream
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The Dream will doubtless take Fiebich’s efficiency on the chin. Poor rotations left the rookie open for routine photographs, however Atlanta can comfortably count on her to not repeat a 7-for-8 taking pictures night time. Nevertheless, they’ll’t ease up on the remainder of the New York supporting forged.
Maybe the toughest puzzle for Atlanta head coach Tanisha Wright to resolve is that of the maths. The Dream dominated the hustle classes on Sunday, however misplaced by double-digits. New York made 5 extra 3-pointers, trying 23 compared to Atlanta’s 16. Sparing an unprecedented rule change earlier than Tuesday night time’s tip-off, three will nonetheless be value greater than two.
Mirroring New York’s lengthy distance obsession is out of the query, as a result of Atlanta simply doesn’t have the personnel. The Liberty get pleasure from an arsenal of shooters, whereas Atlanta has a sprinkling, at most. Spraying and praying from past the arc ought to be nothing however a final resort. As an alternative, they should discover methods to restrict New York’s open the 3s—even when which means conceding a couple of open layups.
On the opposite aspect of the ball, Allisha Grey might be seeking to bounce again from a disappointing afternoon. Grey averages 15.6 factors on the yr, however solely pitched in 9 in Recreation 1. If New York can hold Grey and Howard contained, they’ll fortunately depart the sport within the fingers of Atlanta’s supporting forged. Behind the massive three of Ionescu, Stewart and Jonquel Jones, it’s arduous to see a 3rd matchup on the horizon.
Recreation info
No. 1-seed New York Liberty (1-0) vs. No. 8-seed Atlanta Dream (0-1)
When: Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET
The place: Barclays Middle in Brooklyn, NY
Tips on how to watch: ESPN
Liberty damage report: none
Dream damage report: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (out; ankle). Aerial Powers (out; calf)
