Atlanta Dream Finally Make it to Playoffs, Thump Chicago 98-74 on Road

For those of you out there still reading the blog, the long wait is over. The Atlanta Dream's 107-69 win over the Sky on the road finally clinch another playoff spot for the Atlanta Dream, snapping a four-game losing streak where the Dream sometimes played so poorly that I despaired of them winning another game. Currently Atlanta is in fourth place with two home games left - each one against a team that has beaten us at home (Tuesday the 17th against Chicago, Sunday the 22nd against Washington). Trust me, the regular season isn't over yet; home field advantage will be crucial and we don't have that yet.

The box score is here. If you read closely, that box score is a thing of beauty - five players in double figures, Brittainey Raven finally getting over 10 minutes in the game, Alison Bales with a double-double, the Dream shooting 56.1 percent. The Sky's shooting of 55.9 percent at teh line was absolutely horrible, with Dominique Canty missing seven times in 11 attempts.

In the same link above under "GAME STORY" you'll find the AP writeup. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, not sending Pierce W. Huff, simply grabs the story off the AP wire. At least they reported it.

``They decided that that was enough,'' Atlanta coach Marynell Meadors said. ``They came out and played like they have been playing throughout the season, with a lot of enthusiasm and passion for the game. They shared the ball extremely well and played some really good defense.''

The Chicago Daily-Herald had the best headline: "Sky Rolls Over, Plays Dead in Loss". Quoteth Sylvia Fowles:

"Tonight we came out and played like boo-boo. I thought we were going to be ready to play." The Sky played like Boo-Boo; the Dream played like Yogi and the Park Ranger.

The Chicago Tribune reports "Coach 'embarrassed' by Sky's play in loss to Dream". Jack McCarthy writes it up:

"We should be embarrassed for (this) kind of play" Sky coach Steven Key said. "The hard part is that we know that's not us as a team. That's not the way we practice, that's not the way we played all season long."

I think Steven Key's going to have a lot to worry about in the off-season, more than just some embarrassment.

Canada.com provides a simple report.

I'm not so much excited as I am...relieved. We're in again, and thank God. We'll worry about where we're in later.

Even the Shock Know

From Twitter:

@tmmcwilliams she (Nolan) is fine now... thanks to the coach for picking a 84% ft shooter. we appreciate it.

Atlanta's Mission: "Win, and You're In!"

With the defeat of the Washington Mystics by the Indiana Fever, the playoff picture is suddenly a lot clearer.

The Dream have 17 wins. The Mystics and the Sun - the 5th and 6th place teams - have 17 losses. Which means that the very best the Mystics or Sun can do is tie Atlanta - which would require both teams to sweep and Atlanta to lose its final two games. Even so, Atlanta wins the tiebreaker against the Sun and with the Mystics it would go to "Best Conference Record."

However, an 18th win by Atlanta ends all speculation - there would be no way the Mystics could catch up (although Washington might still be in the hunt for a lower level playoff spot). But....

...if Atlanta beats Connecticut at home on Friday, September 11th or beats Washington on the road on Saturday, September 12th - we are in the playoffs. Where, we can't say but we will definitely be there. It's just that simple now..."win, and you're in."

Atlanta Dream Playoff Locations Determined

(a tip of the hat to Scarab - this is assuming that we make the playoffs, of course)

Conference Semi-finals - Games Played 9/16--9/21

* If Dream's the low seed, play opener @ Philips Arena on 9/16
* If high seed, games 2 & 3 played @ The Arena @ Gwinnett Center "between 9/17 and 9/21"

Eastern Conference Finals - Games Played 9/23--9/26

* If Dream's low seed, play opener @ UGA/Athens, GA on 9/23
* If high seed, play games 2 & 3 @ Philips on 9/25; 9/26

WNBA Finals - Games Played 9/29--10/9

"The 2009 WNBA Finals will take place in Atlanta, GA. The location will be either Philips Arena or Alexander Memorial Coliseum @ Georgia Tech."


So it looks like we'll be playing in Atlanta at all. So there.

The Playoffs: It's an Atlanta Thang

According to a respected blog poster somewhere, the Atlanta Dream will be playing its playoff games in Atlanta. Maybe not in Philips Arena, but definitely someplace in Atlanta. (Or maybe at Gwinnett.)

To which all I can say is "whew". Now we just have to get to the playoffs....

Wars and Rumors of Wars

When I suggested great places that the Dream might play, it looks like I forgot about one of them...I found this message on a women's basketball board and when I read it, I was flabbergasted.

At the game last night I spoke to a person deep within the DFO who noted that if we make it to the playoffs there is a conflict with some of the playoff dates and the availability of Phillips Arena. Indeed if you look at the Phillips calendar events are scheduled for some of the dates.

The real surprise was an alternate site being considered....Knoxville. Was that Pat's price for bringing 11K to the game on Sunday?

That's a friggin long hike for a game. Don't know if I could see it, but I'm sure that someone would probably fill my seat.

UPDATE: potential clashes of events at Philips Arena with WNBA Schedule

Potential Semifinal Clashes (Semifinals either 16-18-19 or 17-20-21)

September 18: Elmo's Green Thumb at Philips Arena
September 19: Elmo's Green Thumb at Philips Arena
September 21: Atlanta vs. Carolina, NHL Pre-season

Eastern Conference Final Clashes

None.

WNBA Final Clashes

October 4: Metallica Performance
October 9: Kings of Leon Performance

(Thanks to nickv1025.)