After dispatching some of the WNBA’s best teams during their recent surge, the Dream had little trouble rolling past the struggling New York Liberty on Friday night at Philips Arena.
The Dream defeated New York 85-64 for their league-leading sixth consecutive victory. The win streak matches the franchise record that was achieved twice previously.
Atlanta’s streak includes victories over the second-place teams in the Eastern (Chicago) and Western (Minnesota) conferences entering Friday. The Dream (9-3) entered Friday tied for the league’s best record with Phoenix, which played host to Tulsa late.
But forward Sancho Lyttle said the Dream aren’t celebrating their hot start because they have bigger goals. The Dream faded late in the regular season in 2013 before going on to lose in the league finals for the third time in four years.
“Last year was the same thing: We started off really good but at the end of the season we were really wobbly,” Lyttle said. “We just need to make it back to the playoffs and when we get there we will see what happens. I think after the All-Star break (July 18-21) is when we are going to know if we are really truly tested.”
The Dream remain as tough as ever at at Philips Arena. Their only home loss this season was an overtime defeat to Indiana and they’ve won 25 of their last 30 regular-season home games going back to the 2012 season.
The Dream will begin a three-game road trip on Sunday at New York. Atlanta is 2-2 away from Philips Arena.
“Championships are won on the road,” Dream coach Michael Cooper said. “If we can just (win) 50 percent on the road that is going to be good enough to have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. We have to go out and do a good job (on the road).
“Adjustments will be made in the next game because it’s always hard to play a team back-to-back. We will make our adjustments and we will be ready to play.”
New York (3-10) never was in position to earn a rare victory for a visitor. The Liberty’s last lead came at 8-7 and they trailed by at least 12 points and by as many as 23 in the second half.
Dream forward Angel McCoughtry scored a game-high 18 points with six rebounds and six assists. Center Erika de Souza had 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots and reserve Aneika Henry scored 13 points with 5 of 7 shooting and added seven rebounds and two blocks.
New York trailed 21-19 early in the second quarter when the Dream took control with a 13-3 run started by Tiffany Hayes’ 3-pointer. De Souza and Celine Dumerc each had two baskets during the burst, which pushed the Dream’s lead to 34-22.
New York couldn’t get the deficit to less than eight the rest of the half and trailed 49-35 at the break. The Dream turned back a mild New York rally with Shoni Schimmel’s 3-pointer and McCoughtry’s driving fast-break score for a 70-53 lead to end the third period.
“It felt good to beat big, fat Bill Laimbeer,” Cooper joked about the Liberty coach, his former NBA rival when Laimbeer played for the Pistons and Cooper for the Lakers.
