Los Angeles – The Atlanta Dream stepped up their defense in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks to run away with an 81-71 win.
Angel McCoughtry led four Atlanta players in double figures with 19 points, which included 15 in the first half. Brittney Sykes came off the bench to add 13 points. Chelsea Gray headed up the effort for Los Angeles, with 18 points, while Candace Parker added 17 points and nine rebounds.
The game was even most of the way, as the two teams exchanged leads 13 times and had 15 ties through the third quarter. A Gray layup at the 7:03 mark in the fourth period gave the Sparks what proved to be their last lead of the game, 67-66, as the Dream went on a 9-0 run that was stopped five minutes later when Gray hit a pair of free throws.
Los Angeles players were visibly frustrated by the Atlanta defense down the stretch, and the loss was their fifth straight at home. They were missing starting guard Alana Beard, out with a groin strain, and starting forward Nneka Ogwumike, suffering from an illness, for the third straight game.
The Sparks declined to comment on Ogwumike’s illness, which is also keeping her out of Saturday’s All-Star game.
Dream coach Nicki Collen said her team capitalized on the absences of their opponents in the game.
“We had to get to their legs, and knowing that they only played seven players…..we kept saying, if we stay close…..we can pull away in the fourth,” Collen said. “We’ll keep our guys fresher, and I think you saw that.”
“As they got tired legs, they became easier to screen, and so all of a sudden, our set plays coming out of timeouts turned into easy layups and shots. And then they started missing some shots…….so much of that can be attributed to fatigue.”
Los Angeles coach Brian Agler said his team has lacked toughness of late.
“We need to fix our mentality,” he said. “We need to get back to being much gritter than we are right now, and that affects all facets of the game. We aren’t possessing grit, and we need that to be champions.”
The Dream improved to 16-9 with the win, which put them in second place in league standings going into All-Star break. Los Angeles, now 15-11, are tied for fourth with the Phoenix Mercury.
The Dream and Sparks at tipoff. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Angel McCoughtry scores a layup to begin the game. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Tiffany Hayes points to a teammate. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Jessica Breland shoots over Candace Parker. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker has a word with Odyssey Sims. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker has a word with Odyssey Sims. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Renee Montgomery passes as Odyssey Sims defends. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Angel McCoughtry drives around the Sparks defense. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Angel McCoughtry takes a tough shot against Essence Carson. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Angel McCoughtry is displeased with a referee call. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Tiffany Hayes passes to Jessica Breland. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Angel McCoughtry scores. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Angel McCoughtry is defended by Chelsea Gray. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Elizabeth Williams defends Candace Parker. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Brittney Sykes runs the fast break for Atlanta. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Brittney Sykes tries to get the ball past Riquna Williams to Elizabeth Williams. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Angel McCoughtry and Jantel Lavender battle for a rebound. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Imani McGee-Stafford is called for a foul. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Angel McCoughtry scores. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Brittney Sykes assesses her passing options. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Brittney Sykes drives on the Sparks defense. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Alex Bentley breaks free of Maria Vadeeva’s defense. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Brittney Sykes scores on a running layup. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker discusses a call with official Maj Forsberg.
Candace Parker is displeased with a call. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Alex Bentley drives on Odyssey Sims. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
The Sparks bench celebrates a three-point shot. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Tiffany Hayes tries to get past Essence Carson. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker slices to the basket to score. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Elizabeth Williams is defended by Candace Parker. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker is displeased with a call. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Brittney Sykes penetrates the defense to score. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Brittney Sykes elevates to score. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Renee Montgomery reacts to a call. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Elizabeth Williams attempts to shoot against the Sparks defense. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Jessica Breland calls out a play to teammates. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Chelsea Gray sets up the play for Los Angeles. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Chelsea Gray takes a tough shot. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Essence Carson runs the offensive play. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Angel McCoughtry defends Essence Carson. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Brittney Sykes watches Renee Montgomery shoot a free throw. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Monique Billings guards Candace Parker. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Monique Billings guards Candace Parker. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Riquna Williams launches a three-point shot attempt. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Maria Vadeeva tries to shoot over Imani McGee-Stafford. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Monique Billings defends Candace Parker. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker makes a run at the rim. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker shoots the ball. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker walks up court. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Odyssey Sims looks to get around the Atlanta defense. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Athletes become tangled during play. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Tiffany Hayes talks to Maj Forsberg about a call. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker walks up court. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Chelsea Gray drives on Alex Bentley. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Chelsea Gray is defended by Alex Bentley. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Jantel Lavender launches a shot. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Essence Carson pauses while Dream players huddle. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Dream court and bench players anticipate the win in the game’s final minutes. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Dream players anticipate the win in the game’s final minutes. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
The Sparks bench takes in the loss. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
