Mystics-Dream Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON
Posted Sep 02 2011 12:34AM

The Atlanta Dream's chances of securing a playoff berth appeared favorable during a three-game stretch against last-place teams. The Dream, though, couldn't take advantage of a trip to Washington.

They'll try for a better result when they host the Mystics on Friday night.

After a slow start, Atlanta (16-14) is only two victories away from clinching its third straight trip to the postseason, a feat that still could be completed during an advantageous part of the schedule with two games against Washington (6-24) and another at home versus WNBA-worst Tulsa on Sunday.

The Dream were on the verge of cutting their magic number to one on Thursday as they led by nine with two minutes left in the third quarter at the Verizon Center.

Instead, Matee Ajavon scored 11 of her 19 points in the final period to lead the Mystics to an 85-81 victory, which snapped a season-high nine-game skid. Crystal Langhorne had a team-best 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Monique Currie contributed eight points in her return from a torn left ACL.

"I just, you know, was aggressive and I took what they gave me," Ajavon said.

Angel McCoughtry scored 30 points but no other player had more than 11 for Atlanta, which saw its three-game win streak end. The Dream are still two games ahead of Chicago in the race for the Eastern Conference's final playoff berth and have an additional cushion by virtue of winning the season series.

"We have been taking steps forward," McCoughtry said. "This is just a little bump, and (Friday) we've got them again."

A year after winning the conference title, the Dream started this season 3-9 and lost five of their first seven at home, including a 98-90 overtime defeat to Washington on June 9. Since that stretch, they've won six of seven at Philips Arena and 13 of 18 overall.

Atlanta has dropped its last three regular-season home matchups with the Mystics, but it routed them 101-77 there in the clinching game of last year's conference semifinals.

McCoughtry, who scored 21 points in that win, was limited to three minutes in June's home loss to Washington because of a sprained left knee suffered in training camp. The league's second-leading scorer (21.0 points per game) has averaged 27.3 points in the three subsequent matchups.

The Mystics, meanwhile, have gotten 25.5 points per game on 52.0 percent shooting and 10.0 rebounds from Langhorne while splitting their four 2011 meetings with the Dream. The All-Star forward had a season-high 30 points during the win in Atlanta in June.

Dream top Mystics 95-73, close in on playoff spot

Posted Sep 02 2011 11:28PM

ATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Dream may have found the key to getting back to the WNBA finals.

Armintie Price scored 19 points, Angel McCoughtry added 16 and fill-in center Alison Bales had a career-high 15 for the Dream in a 95-73 victory over the Washington Mystics on Friday night that moved Atlanta within one win of a playoff berth.

The 6-foot-7 Bales replaced injured starter Erika DeSouza, and her three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter helped Atlanta pull away after Washington made things interesting. Atlanta (17-14) won for the 14th time in 19 games after beginning the season 3-9.

Never mind that Bales made just two 3-pointers in the Dream's first 30 games. Atlanta coach Marynell Meadors said nobody should be surprised at the former Duke star's perfect night from long range against the visiting Mystics (6-25).

``We've tried to get Alison to shoot that more often,'' Meadors said. ``She's a really big 3-point shooter and most people can't defend that. That's one of the reasons we signed her a couple years ago.''

Bales wasted little time after starting her second straight game in place of DeSouza, who may return from a sprained ankle for Sunday's game against Tulsa.

With six points in the first quarter - including two long jumpers - the fourth-year veteran passed her season scoring average (4.5 points) although she waited until the final quarter to unleash her 3-pointers.

``I'm always shooting (the 3) in warm-ups, but my game has always been a little more defense-oriented,'' Bales said after adding five rebounds and two blocked shots. ``That's one of the things that I've been working on, trying to shoot more.''

Atlanta reserve guard Coco Miller - who often went up against twin Kelly Miller Friday night - joined the fun. Coco Miller's eight first-quarter points were more than her scoring average (7.1) and the Dream took a 26-14 lead.

Coco Miller finished with 15 points, as did Iziane Castro Marques, and Sancho Lyttle had in 11 points and eight rebounds.

``When everybody's stepping up, that's how you win championships,'' McCoughtry said. ``It's not one person.''

The Dream have won nine of their past 12 games, and the 2010 WNBA finalists hold the fourth and final playoff spot in the East. They need a win over their final three games or a loss by fifth-place Chicago (14-16) to sew up a spot.

Washington has long been eliminated from playoff contention, but the Mystics have been a problem for Atlanta while splitting the teams' first four meetings. That included an 85-81 win at home in Washington on Thursday to snap a nine-game losing streak.

Washington gave the Dream a hard time Friday with rookie guard Jasmine Thomas scoring a career-high 19 points to help the Mystics rally and try to make a lopsided game respectable.

Atlanta led 67-43 on Coco Miller's 3-point play with 4:41 left in the third quarter, but the Mystics pulled within 72-64 on Marissa Coleman's 3-pointer with 9:20 left in the game.

``Our defense stopped playing defense,'' Meadors said. ``And we were taking quick shots, which created offensive opportunities for them.''

Enter Bales.

Once Atlanta's lead dropped from 24 points to eight, she countered with her third and fourth 3-pointers of the season to push the Dream back up 78-66. From there, Atlanta pulled away.

``Tonight, I hit 'em. It's a lot easier to keep shooting them when you make the first one,'' she said. ``I made the first one, made the second one, and made the third one. The best part is we had a balanced scoring attack. Sometimes, we just watch Angel and want her to save the day.''

All-Star forward Crystal Langhorne scored 15 points for Washington, and Coleman finished with 12 points.

• Mystics: --
• Dream: --

• Mystics: --
• Dream: --

• Lead Changes: 0
• Times Tied: 0

• Arena: Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
• Officials: #55 Eric Brewton, #21 Byron Jarrett, #35 Billy Smith
• Attendance: 6579
• Duration: 1:54