Dream news: Karl Smesko hypes up looming Fever clash with playoff implications appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Karl Smesko is fully aware of the Atlanta Dream’s competition with the Indiana Fever for the top spot in the WNBA’s Eastern Conference standings this season.
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Smesko is going through the second season of his WNBA head coaching career with the Dream. He has elevated them to solid playoff contention, hoping to get them on a deep run to the WNBA Finals.
They had an opportunity to do that last year but lost in a series upset to the Fever, who didn’t have Caitlin Clark due to injury. Knowing that stakes will be high when the postseason begins, Smesko kept that in perspective following the Dream’s game against the Connecticut Sun on Thursday night.
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“It’s two teams that are in the mix there [in WNBA standings], so the game obviously has a great deal of importance because so many teams are bunched within like two games. So, whoever plays the best down the stretch is probably going to be able to host a [WNBA] playoff series, and I do think that’s an advantage. So, it is a big game. Indiana’s playing really well right now, and I think we’re playing pretty well too. So, it should be a great one,” Smesko said, per reporter Wilton Jackson.
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How Karl Smesko, Dream performed against Sun
Karl Smesko will need the best out of the Dream if they want to win the title this year. Getting past the Fever will likely be in the picture.
Two players scored in double-digits for Atlanta in the win over the Sun. Rhyne Howard finished with a stat line of 29 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block. She shot 7-of-10 from the field, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, and 10-of-11 from the free-throw line. Allisha Gray came next with 29 points and three rebounds, Jordin Canada had nine points and four assists, while Naz Hillmon and Angel Reese scored eight points each.
Atlanta improved to a 21-12 record on the season, taking over first place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics at the moment.
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The Dream will look forward to their next matchup, being at home. They host the Fever as tip-off takes place on Aug. 16 at 5 p.m. ET.
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