On June 28, the Atlanta Dream were 5-8, right on the edge of playoff contention. Since then, Atlanta has won six-straight games and will carry that impressive win streak into the All-Star break.
The Dream have looked like a completely different team. They are not just sneaking by with these wins. Atlanta has been dominant, winning their last five games by double figures.
To kick off this win streak, Atlanta faced off against the Washington Mystics, the team with the third-best record in the league. The Dream withstood Elena Delle Donne’s 31 points due to the performance of Allisha Gray and the spark AD Durr provided off the bench. Gray poured in 26 points while grabbing five boards and dishing out four assists. Durr went two-for-two from three to help her score a season-high 15 points in a much-needed boost from the pine.
Rhyne’s Rampage
When the All-Star reserves were first announced, Rhyne Howard’s name did not appear on the list. It felt like the biggest snub this year.
This lit a fire under Howard.
Unfortunately for the Los Angeles Sparks, Howard had to take out her frustration on them. To say she had a good game would be an understatement.
Howard had a career game. Howard had a historic game.
She hit six threes to help her reach a career-high 43 points – one shy of the Dream franchise record.
Someone on the Sparks’ bench had obviously said something to Howard as after every shot she hit down the stretch, she would look at the bench and have some choice words of her own. It is safe to say you don’t want to make her mad.
Atlanta blew Los Angeles out 112-84.
Three games later, Howard had an encore performance against the Chicago Sky. She got the job done on both sides of the ball that night as she scored 32 points and picked up four steals.
Just Keep Winning
The Dream are tied with the Mystics for the fourth-best record in the WNBA at the halfway point. The goal isn’t just to make the playoffs anymore. Atlanta is looking for home-court advantage and has clearly found a groove with its new lineup this season.
What do they have to do in the second half of the season?
It’s simple – win.
The Dream should not change a single thing they have been doing during this win streak. They look like one of the best teams in the league. With their three All-Stars, Atlanta looks like the newest super team.
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