ATL vs IND Dream11: The WNBA has taken a strong turn towards the Playoffs steadily and in a few days, we will learn the seedings meaning who will meet who and where the meeting will happen. So far, we have seen five teams qualify but one team has been disqualified in Indiana Fever. In this game, the Atlanta Dream will meet Indiana Fever.
The Atlanta Dream has been better than last season, winning 12 and losing 18 games, but still, their road to Playoffs has turned thorny lately. Their chances look slim and they are on a four-game losing streak, coming into this game after losing to the Wings 68:81 in the last game.
The Indiana Fever’s season is basically the one that everyone involved with them would wanna forget. They have only won 5 out of 32 games, and they are on a 14-game losing streak. In their last game, they lost to the Aces 69:74 in another poor effort.
The Fever has lost all their three games against the Dream.
Host: Atlanta Dream
Visitors: Indiana Fever
Match Timing: 4 August, @ 04:30 AM (+05:30 UTC)
Venue: The Gateway Center
Dream’s chances thwarted badly
The Dream has completely lost the plot after a strong 7-4 start. Their offense has been one of the worst in the league. Atlanta has received significant contributions from Rhyne Howard, whose defense has been premium but her offense still needs fine-tuning and support around her. Tiffany Hayes helped things temporarily but except for Cheyene, the Dream has had not much support around Rhyne Howard. Their defense has been strong but their offense hasn’t been good enough to even get to 80 points on most nights.
Fever’s chances have been nil
The Fever has been decimated within the first half mostly and their performances are just worsening these days. Indiana has been unable to keep the ante up on the offensive end and except for Kelsey Mitchell, who had another phenomenal season and rookie NaLyssa Smith, it is like they have no offense. Their defense has been abysmal, they give up too many easy buckets and their way of offense hasn’t panned out for a long time. They need some big changes in the offseason.
Highest scorer: Rhyne Howard: 22
Highest rebounder: NaLyssa Smith: 11
Top assists maker: Erica Wheeler: 6
Score Prediction: Dream 82 Fever 75
Indiana Fever Team News
Fever Expected Starting Five
Two-Way Forward: PF: NaLyssa Smith
Inside Presence: C: Queen Egbo
Slashing Guard: SG: Victoria Vivians
Driving Veteran Guard: SG: Danielle Robinson
Scoring Guard: SG: Tiffany Mitchell
BENCH: Emily Engstler, Destanni Henderson, Lexie Hull, Rennia Davis, Khayla Pointer, Emma Canon
Atlanta Dream Team News:
Dream Expected Starting Five
High-Post Forward: F: Cheyenne Parker
Rebounding Specialist: F: Naz Hillmon
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.
Rhyne Howard(ATL)
Points: 22
Rebounds: 06
Assists: 01
Blocks: 02
Steals: 01
Guard Howard has been a sparkling presence but her offense surely needs more work but her defense is surely at an elite level. The rookie can be in 19-25 points range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 18-30
NaLyssa Smith(MIN)
Points: 18
Rebounds: 13
Assists: 01
Forward Smith has been a big factor as a scorer and rebounder but her game is still in its nascent stages. I believe she will be in 14-19 points and 8-12 rebounds range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 19-29
Cheyenne Parker(ATL)
Points: 12
Rebounds: 06
Assists: 01
Blocks: 01
Forward Parker is a fantastic post player and can also go hard on the rebounding and defensive end. I believe she will be in 11-18 points and 5-8 rebounds range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 19-30
Victoria Vivians(MIN)
Points: 08
Rebounds: 03
Assists: 00
Blocks: 01
Guard Victoria has had a contrasting second half of a season after doing a great job in the first half of the season. I believe she will be in 9-15 points range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 27-37
Erica Wheeler(ATL)
Points: 07
Rebounds: 02
Assists: 06
Steals: 03
Erica has been a factor as a playmaker and defender but she hasn’t done much scoring-wise this season at all. I believe she will be in 5-9 points, 4-7 assists, and 1-3 steals range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 14-25
(Recommended)
PG: E Wheeler, A McDonald
SG: D Henderson
SF: T Mitchell, V Vivians, R Howard(SP)
PF: N Smith(PP)
C: C Parker
(Alternate)
PG: E Wheeler, A McDonald
SG: K Anne Wallace, D Henderson
SF: V Vivians, R Howard(SP)
PF: N Smith(PP)
C: C Parker
Can Howard and co. sweep the Fever in the season series in what has been an incredible performance from them against the league’s worst. You can watch this brilliant battle on the WNBA League Pass where you have all the live games and also the full-game replays. It is also available on the official Facebook page of Indiana Fever. To learn the scores, news, and stats, go to the official website of the WNBA.