Peachtree Hoops: Dream fight but fall to Fever in preseason finale, 83-80

[Hawksquawk]

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

It was a good tune up for the Dream.

The Atlanta Dream met the Indiana Fever in the second of two preseason games for the Dream. They had to contend with starlet Caitlin Clark and the hostile environment of Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

For the second game in a row, the Dream started Cheyenne Parker-Tyus alongside Tina Charles in the frontcourt. Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Haley Jones, starting in the place of the injured Jordin Canada, rounded out the starting lineup.

The Dream jumped to a 18-8 start behind swarming defense using their long and pesky perimeter, registering three takeaways within the first four minutes of the game.

Rhyne Howard showed no signs of a third-year slump with some early buckets within the flow of the game. This catch-and-shoot triple is what the kids call light work.

Hey It's RHYYYY @howard_rhyne pic.twitter.com/56dHOQnaYY

— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) May 9, 2024

The Fever made a run late in the first quarter when both bench units entered, but Atlanta held on to take a 30-24 lead at the first buzzer.

Atlanta reversed that recent trend with an 11-2 run of their own to retake command of the game. The Fever’s NaLyssa Smith was a major thorn in Atlanta’s side throughout the second quarter, however, and Indiana never trailed by too big a margin.

The end of the second quarter was a scrappy, physical affair, and Atlanta went on a cold spell from the floor. The Fever were able to pull to within one point at the halftime break, 49-48.

Once again, the Dream raced out of the gates in the new quarter, but the spree was rather short-lived. Still, this Parker-Tyus long range shot is good to see if she is to play the power forward position more this season.

Inside-out game

Cheyenne Parker-Tyus drops in the long two to keep the @AtlantaDream ahead in the match. ATL leads 53-50

: 3Q on the WNBA App pic.twitter.com/I9PlwYmlNV

— WNBA (@WNBA) May 10, 2024

But the Dream couldn’t muster much offense with the bench unit in — a similar theme to the first half. Indiana jumped out to a 68-60 lead, and that eight-point lead represented their biggest lead all game. But a block and pair of triples from Nia Coffey pulled Atlanta to within eight as the game rolled into the fourth quarter.

Getting us started again with a 3⃣ pic.twitter.com/Z6aLGXdDj2

— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) May 10, 2024

In the final period, the Dream needed to overcome a deficit to finish their preseason 2-0. This being the preseason, however, the starters were kept on the bench to give the reserves a chance to shine and prove their worth.

Destanni Henderson and Crystal Dangerfield are looking to stick on the team with Jordin Canada’s health in doubt. Here, the two point guards link up for a nice bucket.

5'7" to 5'5" @dh3nny | @crystald2_ pic.twitter.com/6d4AiFLMxs

— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) May 10, 2024

That duo plus Aerial Powers, Laeticia Amihere, and Khadijiah Cave fought valiantly late to make it a winnable contest. A couple of Amihere buckets cut the lead to three points with around 40 seconds left in the contest.

After smothering interior defense on Boston in the following possession, coach Tanisha Wright called a timeout and drew up a play during a timeout with 19.1 seconds remaining. However, Atlanta couldn’t get a shot off on the last possession and finally fell 83-80.

Rhyne Howard finished with 13 points and Tina Charles added 10 points and six rebounds. The Dream will next be in action in their season-opening game at the Los Angeles Sparks on May 15.

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