Angel McCoughtry knows the Atlanta Dream need to pick up the pace in Wednesday’s WNBA playoff opener against Seattle in Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion, but the forward is not so sure about a speedy, new one-and-done postseason plan.
First- and second-rounds will be one game each, and the sixth-seeded Dream (17-17) want to play faster than when the No. 7 Storm (16-18) beat them at their own game, 91-82, on Sept. 4 at Philips Arena. Seattle scrapped its deliberate pace, and led 73-49 after three quarters.
“We probably didn’t expect that,” McCoughtry said. “But we’ll be ready to run with them. I think … everybody should have a chance to play at home. The teams that don’t, if they lose, their fans don’t get to see a playoff game.”
That’s not bothering Dream head coach Michael Cooper, whose team is 4-5 since the Olympic break to Seattle’s 7-3.
He’s OK with the WNBA postseason no longer splitting into Western and Eastern conference brackets. The top eight records are seeded regardless of conference with the top two (Minnesota and Los Angeles) receiving first-and second-round byes, and the Nos. 3-4 (New York and Chicago) earning first-round passes.
Cooper’s concerned by Seattle’s 14-year veteran point guard, Sue Bird, and sterling rookie Breanna Stewart. They scored 23 points each last time against Atlanta.
“They play half-court basketball, but the last time we played they were up-tempo and I think that suits them,” the coach said. “Sue Bird is an older player now, but if she has those sprite legs, we’re going to have to run. We’re going to look to pick it up for 40 minutes.
“There is a sense of urgency. I love the way the playoffs are structured … it’s the best eight teams. I think you’re going to see some good basketball.”
Atlanta will be without starting forward Tiffany Hayes, who picked up her seventh foul of the regular season in last Saturday’s loss at Minnesota. They may also again miss forward Sancho Lyttle (foot sprain).
No matter who plays, the Dream will be busy with Stewart. The former college player of the year from Connecticut Tuesday was named WNBA rookie of the month for September, sweeping all four awards this season.
She’s sixth in the league in scoring (18.3), second in rebounding (9.3), third in blocked shots (1.9) and set an WNBA record for defensive rebounds (277).
Stewart scored 38 points against Atlanta in an 84-81 win June 28 in Seattle.
When the Dream beat Seattle 77-64 on July 5 in Philips Arena, she scored just 11 and Bird nine.
Forward Elizabeth Williams will see plenty of Stewart.
“We’ve seen every team at least three times so it’s a matter of making adjustments,” Williams explained. “I would say getting defensive rebounds and fast breaks [will be key]. If we can really push the tempo, we’ll be good because we play really well when we’re playing fast.”
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