Shock-Dream Preview

By KATE HEDLIN
Posted Sep 03 2011 4:19PM

The Atlanta Dream are within one win of returning to the playoffs. If Angel McCoughtry has another game against the Tulsa Shock like her last, clinching a postseason berth should come easily.

McCoughtry and the Dream seek their fifth straight home win Sunday when they host the league-worst Shock.

After a slow start, Atlanta (17-14) needs a win Sunday or a Chicago loss to Indiana later in the day to secure a playoff berth for a third straight season. The Dream, who reached the WNBA finals last year before being swept by Seattle, opened the season 2-7.

Atlanta, which has won four of five, is the second highest-scoring team in the WNBA at 82.4 points per game, and the team is putting up even more impressive numbers recently. McCoughtry had 16 points in 21 minutes of a 95-73 victory over Washington on Friday - the fifth time in 10 games the team has topped 90 points.

Six players scored in double figures in the win, including Alison Bales, who had a career-high 15 starting in place of the injured Erika de Souza.

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

Atlanta could have more help available Sunday. De Souza may be back in the lineup after missing the last two games with a sprained ankle. She's averaging 13.8 points the last six games.

It may not matters who plays against the league-worst Shock (3-27) as long as McCoughtry plays well again versus the Shock. She scored a career-high 37 points in a 76-68 win at Tulsa on July 26.

McCoughtry is averaging 24.7 points the last three games as she competes with Phoenix's Diana Taurasi for the league scoring title.

Tulsa heads to Atlanta having lost its last two. The Shock dropped 20 straight before putting together back-to-back wins prior to the current losing streak.

Tulsa is coming off a 78-72 loss against Seattle on Friday. The Shock led early, but never recovered from a 13-0 run in the second quarter by the Storm.

Jennifer Lacy tied her career high with 18 points while Amber Holt added 17. Tulsa was without injured point guard Ivory Latta, who is uncertain for Sunday.

"It took our rhythm off (playing without Latta)," interim coach Teresa Edwards said. "I thought Sheryl (Swoopes) was awesome, but (playing point guard) took away from her scoring."

The 40-year-old Swoopes finished with six points and six assists in 37 minutes, her second-most of the year.

On Saturday, the league announced that Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler are taking over ownership of the Dream from Kathy Betty.

McCoughtry helps put Dream in WNBA playoffs 73-52

Posted Sep 04 2011 6:24PM

ATLANTA (AP) Angel McCoughtry scored 19 points and the Atlanta Dream clinched a playoff spot with a 73-52 win over the Tulsa Shock on Sunday.

``It's a relief,'' Dream coach Marynell Meadors said. ``I was real proud of our ability to win tonight simply because that means we are going to the playoffs again. And whatever position we end up in, we are going to give it everything we have to represent the Atlanta Dream with the best of our abilities.''

McCoughtry scored 10 points during Atlanta's 11-0 run late in the second quarter that gave them a 36-26 halftime lead.

``Sometimes it takes her a while to get started, but when she does, she sees things out there that most of us don't see,'' Meadors said.

McCoughtry hit 7 of 15 field goals, including both 3-point tries, and added five rebounds and four assists.

``I was just trying to do the best I could in the time I had on the court,'' McCoughtry said. ``And before the playoffs there are some things I want to critique and I am going to go back and watch tapes.''

Lindsey Harding had 13 points and 10 assists for Atlanta (18-14), which has won 10 of its last 13 games. Armintie Price added 13 points.

Tiffany Jackson had 15 points and 11 rebounds for Tulsa (3-28) and Amber Holt had 14 points and eight rebounds.

``I think (Atlanta) has a great opportunity,'' said Tulsa coach Teresa Edwards, a former All-American at the University of Georgia. ``They proved they could be successful last year. If they build on this game today, they're in a great place for the playoffs.''

• Shock: --
• Dream: --

• Shock: --
• Dream: --

• Lead Changes: 3
• Times Tied: 3

• Arena: Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
• Officials: #9 Denise Brooks, #31 Amy Bonner, #25 Marcus Clayton
• Attendance: 7661
• Duration: 1:42