The Dream is no stranger to the highs and lows of a roller-coaster season.
Look no further than last year for evidence, when the Dream opened with six consecutive victories before closing the regular season by losing six of their final seven. But the 2010 postseason was another high for the Dream — with a franchise-first WNBA finals appearance.
“That’s the game of basketball,” guard Angel McCoughtry said.
Early this season, the Dream found themselves in another downswing, winning once in their first six games. A mix of injuries and player absences upset the team’s dynamic, preventing the Dream from developing a successful on-court chemistry.
Now, it seems that the Dream (7-9) have steered their way back on track. With the season approaching the midway point, the Dream have won four in a row against Chicago, Indiana, Washington, and 76-68 over Tulsa on Tuesday night.
The Dream will look to continue their streak with a meeting at Philips Arena against the Los Angeles Sparks (6-9) at 7 p.m. Thursday. It will be important to continue the winning trend because of a coming road-heavy schedule.
“I thought for sure that we had great intensity,” coach Marynell Meadors said of the Dream’s most recent wins. “We focused more on defense than anything else.”
The team earned a convincing win against Indiana, as the Dream beat the Fever handily 84-74 in Philips Arena on July 19. Indiana currently is tied for first place in the Eastern Conference.
But for Meadors, the team’s most gutsy performance came the next night, when the Dream cruised past the Washington Mystics. Because of a number of injuries, the Dream played with only eight players.
“We’ve played with injured players before,” Meadors said. “But in that game, they were more focused on what they needed to do.”
Although Sancho Lyttle returned to the Dream from Eurobasket Women 2011 on July 9, she hasn’t played in the past six games because of an injured back.
“She’s anxious to get back out there,” Meadors said.
In the four games in which she played early this season, Lyttle averaged 12.5 points and 7.8 rebounds, both good for second best on the team. Despite Lyttle’s continued absence, Meadors has noticed a more determined and energetic team on the court.
McCoughtry has spearheaded the Dream offense, scoring a combined 70 points in the past two victories and being selected as Eastern Conference player of the week.
“Being named to All-Star starting roster was a boost to her confidence,” Meadors said.
But McCoughtry sees her role on the Dream as much more than just points and rebounds.
“Leadership, that’s what I’m called to do,” McCoughtry said. “It’s all about the extra pat on the back in women’s basketball.”
Despite the team’s rocky start, the Dream are only 3 1/2 games out of first place, but in fifth and scratching to find a way back into the playoffs.
“Having to work our way up the ladder, we know every game is important,” Meadors said.
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