Dallas torched the Atlanta Dream for 101 points in the Wings’ second game of the
season May 20.
The Dream will have a chance at redemption Saturday when the Wings visit for
Atlanta’s home opener at McCamish Pavilion.
Skylar Diggins-Smith and Liz Cambage combined for 46 points in the Wings’ win
over the Dream in Arlington, Texas. The teams combined to attempt 70 free throws
in a physical affair.
“We learned from our mistakes last game,” Dream leading scorer Tiffany Hayes
told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We knew that we didn’t match their
intensity. We were soft, so they’re definitely going to see a different team
when we come and play them.”
Dallas (1-2) failed to build momentum off the win over Atlanta. The Wings fell
behind big early to the defending champion Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday and lost
76-68 on the road. Dallas managed only four points in the second quarter, but
rallied in the second half behind another solid performance from Cambage in the
post. The Australian finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds in only her third
WNBA game since returning to the league.
“There’s nothing that can get you ready for this league,” Cambage told ESPN.
Cambage, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft, left the league after
the 2013 season to return to Australia. She competed on the Australian national
team and in China, before rupturing her Achilles in 2014. She’s still working
her way back, but is off to a good start.
The Dream (1-1) also got one its key players back this offseason in Angel
McCoughtry, who took last year off. McCoughtry is averaging 11.5 points and 5.0
rebounds in her first two games back in the WNBA.
Atlanta bounced back from the opening loss to the Wings with an 81-63 road win
over the Chicago Sky on Wednesday. Hayes had 22 points, Elizabeth Williams
scored 11 and McCoughtry 10, but new Dream coach Nikki Collen was most pleased
with her team’s effort on the defensive side of the court.
“After giving 101 points up to Dallas in our opener, it was really important for
us to really hit first and emphasize defense in this game,” Collen told the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I think we really set the tone defensively.”
The Wings won two of the three meetings last season with the Dream.
Hayes is averaging 18 points while Diggins-Smith paces Dallas at 18.3 per game.
