Slow start after halftime dooms Dream

The Atlanta Dream found themselves in a 13-point deficit entering the fourth quarter in a pivotal matchup against the Las Vegas Aces. When it looked like the team was headed for a fierce and fiery comeback — cutting the deficit to three — Chelsea Gray delivered what would become the final blow from deep as the Aces went on to defeat the Dream 81-75 Wednesday at Gateway Center Arena.

With the loss, the Dream (24-14) dropped the season series against the Aces (26-14) and dropped to third place in the WNBA standings.

Trailing by 13 entering the fourth quarter, the Dream had work to do. Allisha Gray put the Dream within single digits when she converted a free throw — her first points of the second half — early in the period. And while the Dream began to find more of a rhythm and ball movement offensively, they continued to struggle to slow down the Aces’ offense, especially A’ja Wilson, who scored seven of the Aces first nine points halfway through the quarter.

Still, with 4:58 to play in regulation and trailing 70-59, the Dream didn’t quit. A layup from Rhyne Howard, the final part of a 6-2 run, cut the Aces’ deficit to seven, 72-65. A few possessions later, trailing 73-67, Te-Hina Paopao drilled the Dream’s third 3-pointer, sending all the fans inside GCA to their feet with excitement and hope for a comeback.

But the Aces had other plans. Shortly after Howard notched a clutch jumper, Chelsea Gray delivered the dagger to the Dream’s comeback when she drained a right-wing 3-pointer that splashed through the bottom of the nets, giving the Aces a 79-72 advantage. Howard added another triple before Wilson sealed the victory for Las Vegas at the free throw line as chants of “MVP” rang from the crowd.

Wilson registered her 19th double-double of the season, finishing with 34 points and 10 rebounds. Three other Las Vegas players contributed double-digit production to lift the Aces to their 12th consecutive victory. Jewell Loyd and Gray at 14 points apiece while Jackie Young notched her second career triple double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

Brionna Jones, who finished with 19 points and six rebounds, said playing in contests like the Dream-Aces’ clash will certainly prepare them for the postseason.

“(This) is how it’s going to be,” Jones said after Wednesday’s loss. “We played the top of the league (teams) the last three games. So, I think just being able to capitalize on leads and controlling the game the way we want to, and then execute our offense and defense. It’s all a learning experience, and we can definitely learn from this.”

A big part in the Dream’s struggles in the contest came from the team committing 10 turnovers that resulted in 16 points – including 10 in the second half – along with the team shooting a dismal 4-of-24 from deep.

“To lose by six to a team (Aces) that’s good, and you’re shooting sub 20% from three, like, if you shoot a normal percentage, everybody is feeling a lot different right now,” Dream coach Karl Smesko said postgame. “… We’re not going to be winning playoff games and winning championships shooting sub 20% from three.”

Howard also finished with 19 points and seven assists while Gray added 15 points and five rebounds in the loss.

If the WNBA playoffs began on Thursday, the Dream would face the projected No. 6 seed Indiana Fever (20-18) in a first-round postseason series at GCA. Although they still have six games remaining, Smesko didn’t shy away of how important this contest was in the franchise’s playoff picture as well as the Dream’s success against the league’s top teams this season.

Entering Wednesday’s showdown, the Dream have defeated the Minnesota Lynx, the New York Liberty, the Phoenix Mercury, the Seattle Storm, the Golden State Valkyries and the Fever at least twice, all teams in the current top eight.

While Smesko hoped to add the Aces to the list of elite teams the Dream have beaten, the focus remains on the team earning its best position and a deep run in the postseason.

“… We wanted to win (this game) to give us the best chance to advance in the playoffs,” Smesko said. “…I’d rather lose now than the playoffs. They’ve got us three times. …. Our hope is when the playoffs come, we’re playing at our best. Hopefully everybody’s healthy … and we’re playing at our very best. I honestly think our very best is as good as anybody’s very best. But when you’re playing the best teams, it can’t be three quarters of good basketball.”

Gray gave the Aces their first lead of the second half when she knocked down a corner three and picked up the three-point play after she was fouled. With the game tied at 48, Las Vegas took over in a massive way. The Aces produced a 13-0 run to close the quarter that included Wilson nailing two deep 3-pointers with ease, along with Jewell Loyd converting a clutch triple and leaning jumper, giving Las Vegas a 61-48 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Dream have typically produced strong third quarters this season, but were outscored 21-6 in the frame and held to a new season low for points in a quarter.