Atlanta Dream: Championship Quest Begins

Quest for a Championship

The Atlanta Dream begin their quest for a ring as the Washington Mystics visit McCamish Pavillion today at 3 pm Eastern Standard Time. The Dream and Mystics meet for game one of a five game series in the WNBA semifinals. The Dream hold home court advantage being the number two seed. Washington was the third seed finishing one game behind the dream with a record of 22-12.

The teams are polar opposites as Washington is driven by a high-powered offense. The Mystics finished 3rd in the WNBA in Offensive Rating powered by All WNBA first team small forward Elena Delle Donne. Donne was fifth in the WNBA in scoring, averaging 20.5 points per game. On the other hand the Dream are led by their defense. Their defense has been a nightmare for the opposition, as Atlanta led the WNBA in defensive rating.

The Atlanta Dream won the season series two games to one. The Dream won the first matchups on July 11th, 106-89. The Dream shot a scorching was a scorching 61.1% (11-18) from three-point range. The made history that night with Angel McCoughtry, Jessica Breeland, Tiffany Hayes, and Renee Montgomery all scoring at least 20 points and dishing out at least five assists in the contest. Just six days later the Dream downed the Mystics again 80-77. Brittany Sikes lead the Dream with 17 points and six rebounds.

On July 31st the Mystics ended the Dream’s 8 game winning streak winning 86-71. Elena Delle Donner lead Washington with 28 points and 16 rebounds. Tiffany Hayes lead the dream with 18 points in the loss.

Game two of this WNBA playoff series is scheduled for Tuesday night here in Atlanta at 8 pm. Game three will take place on Friday August 31st at 8 pm in Washington at the Charles E Smith Center. Game four if necessary will be played in Washington on Sunday September 2nd, at a time to be determined. Should the series go the distance, a fifth and deciding game would he here in Atlanta at McCamish Pavillion at a time to be determined.

Prediction

Angel McCoughtry played in all three matchups for the Atlanta Dream, so this is a different team that the Mystics will face. Atlanta will miss Angel McCoughtry’s veteran presence. However Renee Montgomery and Alex Bentley have stepped up big since Angel went down. Their support of Tiffany Hayes, Jessica Breeland, and Elizabeth Williams will be key in this series. I predict that the Atlanta Dream will advance to the WNBA Finals for the fourth time in franchise history. Dream 3-2 over the Mystics.

I will update this article as the series moves along. Keep checking ATL All Day via FanSided for updates on the Atlanta Dream and their Quest to win a championship, as well as the latest on all of your favorite Atlanta Sports teams.