Published on: Jun 1, 2022 7:20 pm IST|Updated on: Jun 1, 2022 7:20 pm IST
ATL vs MIN Dream11: In the WNBA, athletes work incredibly hard to earn their contracts. Teams are far and few whereas the last few spots are fragile and you can lose out on a contract in quick time. It is a grind at its finest and unless you are a well-established player, the road is only tricky considering that the money is not easy to get in the league. Anyway, more about that later, let us jump into the game between the Atlanta Dream and the Minnesota Lynx.
The Dream has been much better this season and their defense has been of elite quality. They have won five out of eight games and they beat the Mercury 81:54 as Kirsty Wallace nailed 17 points. On the other hand, the Lynx has struggled to get things going, losing two of their nine games. In the last match, they lost a close 83:95 battle to Lynx despite a 19 points night by Kayla McBride. Can the Dream continue its brilliant run?
Host: Atlanta Dream Visitors: Minnesota Lynx Match Timing: 2 June, @ 04:30 AM (+05:30 UTC) Venue: The Gateway Center
Dream’s elite defense, Lynx’s crumbling effort
In the first quarter of the season, the Dream has been the first ranked team in terms of defensive rating(92.5) and it seems like rookie Rhyne Howard has been more of a defensive factor than an offensive one, although she is huge in that regard too. And if not for the defense, they would have been replaying last season’s win percentage as they are the second-worst offensive team in the league, only scoring 75.8. The main reason is that Howard has had some issues getting going while the team has lacked someone who can create shots effectively on a regular basis. But yes the unit of Howard, McDonald, Wallace, Coffey, and Cheyyene has looked brilliant on both ends.
On the other hand, Minnesota Lynx has been unable to get going on both ends of the floor. Lynx has been a bottom three team in both points per game and points allowed per game. They are the second-worst in terms of made threes, with only 5.3 per game. McBride’s return has bolstered the guard position but apart from Fowles, no one has been consistent as a scorer. The team has strong rebounding but the trouble is that due to some weak perimeter defense, the lanes are open and Fowles is not the same shot-blocker anymore. The Lynx will need to become more assertive on both ends.
Highest scorer: Sylvia Fowles: 20 Highest rebounder: Sylvia Fowles: 13 Top assists maker: Rhyne Howard: 7 Score Prediction: Dream 83 Lynx 72
Minnesota Lynx Teams News:
Lynx Expected Starting Five Wing: SF: Aerial Powers All-Around Forward: PF: Jessica Shephard Inside Presence: C: Sylvia Fowles Isolation Scorer: SG: Kayla McBride Sharpshooting Guard: SG: Rachel Banham
BENCH: Bridget Carleton, Nikolina Milic,Evina Westbrook,
Atlanta Dream Team News:
Dream Expected Starting Five High-Post Forward: F: Cheyenne Parker Physical Forward: F: Nia Coffey Crafty Dribbler: G: Erica Wheeler Off-the-ball Shooter: SG: Kristy Wallace Sharpshooting Two-Way Guard: SG: Rhyne Howard
BENCH: Beatrice Mompremier, Megan Walker, Naz Hillmon, Kia Vaughn, Aari McDonald.
Sylvia Fowles(MIN) Points: 15 Rebounds: 07 Assists: 00 Steals: 02 Blocks: 01 Center Fowles is an incredible inside player who can score in the paint while clinching rebounds and playing decent defense. I believe she will be in 17-24 points, 9-14 rebounds, and 1-3 blocks range. She can be selected as a Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 29-41
Rhyne Howard(ATL) Points: 12 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 06 Steals: 01 Blocks: 01 Howard has made the Dream a better unit on both ends of the floor, being an explosive scorer, defender, and playmaker. I expect a 14-21 points, 3-6 assists, and 3-5 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 25-36
Kayla McBride(MIN) Points: 19 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 00 Steals: 03 Kayla has had some strong shooting nights since her WNBA return but she will need to be more efficient from the three-point line. I believe she will be in 15-22 points and 1-3 steals range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 20-31
Cheyenne Parker(ATL) Points: 13 Rebounds: 09 Assists: 00 Blocks: 01 Parker has been an impressive rebounder, defender, and can also provide some serviceable offense from the high-post area. I believe she will be in 9-14 points, 7-11 rebounds, and 1-3 blocks range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 19-30
Aerial Powers(MIN) Points: 15 Rebounds: 00 Assists: 03 Steals: 01 Powers is a strong finisher at the rim but she has struggled in terms of nailing her deep-range shots. I believe she will be in 13-18 points, 4-7 rebounds, and 1-2 steals range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 18-28
Kristy Wallace(ATL) Points: 17 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 02 Steals: 01 Rookie Wallace has shown that she can survive long-term in this league and has been both an effective inside and outside scorer. I believe she will be in 14-19 points range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 20-31
(Recommended) PG: K McBride, E Wheeler, C Parker SG: R Banham, R Howard(PP) SF: A Powers PF: J Shepard C: S Fowles(SP)
(Alternate) PG: K McBride, E Wheeler SG: R Banham, K Anne-Wallace, R Howard(PP) SF: A Powers PF: J Shepard C: S Fowles(SP)
Can rookie Rhyne Howard and the Dream shut down the veteran Sylvia Fowles and the Lynx? You can catch this brilliant battle on the WNBA League Pass where you have all the live games and also the full-game replays. To learn the scores, news, and stats, go to the official website of the WNBA.