photo credit / Adam Hagy – NBAE via Getty Images
Atlanta Dream are coming off an humiliating loss on Friday versus the Connecticut Sun. The Dream succumb to the loss at home 93-68. ATL is trying to survive their road trip without their star rookie – Rhyne Howard who is out with a shoulder injury. They are in Phoenix ready to redeem themselves against Diana Taurasi and the Mercury. At the start of the quarter, Atlanta wins the tip as Aari McDonald, who is labeled as one the fastest guards in the league, gains possession and dishes to Cheyenne Parker who completes the basket and scores the first points for the Dream. This foreshadowing the Dreams triumph over the Mercury. Phoenix’s Shey Peddy answers back on the other end of the court with a three from downtown to convert. Throughout the 1st quarter, Atlanta manages to hang on to a lead, but Diana Taurasi and Shey Peddy remain consistent to bring the Mercury back to tie the game 12-12. The Dream’s Asia Durr coming through the clutch with a dagger to score, keeping Atlanta ahead. “AD” finished the evening with 12 points. Also, Tiffany Hayes who can not be denied through out the play of the quarter, comes through with huge plays in the paint, bringing the Dream lead 20-15. Mercury’s Shey Peddy, letting her presence be known toward the end of the quarter, brings the Mercury within 1 with 2:53 – score 20-19. She finishes the night with 16 points.
The 2nd quarter, the Phoenix Mercury superstar, Diana Taurasi, comes out explosive with a huge layup to try and chip away at Atlanta’s lead. The veteran’s final points of the game was 23 points. The Dream’s Asia Durr is locked and loaded from long range with a shot from the perimeter. She adds to Atlanta’s lead 31-26 in the middle of the 2nd . Phoenix’s Skylar Diggins is attacking and finishing on the other end with an answer back; she had 14 points. Meanwhile, The Dream are still capitalizing on their lead as “AD” knocks down another three, making Atlanta 3-4 from the ark. Phoenix comes back to gain ground in the 3rd and ties the game 41-41. Peddy gives the Mercury their first lead of the game (43-41) with a tear drop that falls eloquently. Cheyenne Parker is killing it in the post on the other end for Atlanta! She has been feasting on the Mercury’s defense and finishing the night with a season high 21 points and 12 rebounds (double-double). Peddy shoots a cold-blooded dagger at the buzzer to end the 3rd quarter, cutting the Dream lead 64-63. Throughout the 4th, Phoenix tried to find ways late to come up with a victory, but the Dream prevailed. Cheyenne Parker was living in the lane and was sensational with all money down low! The Dream milks the clock down and the Dream triumphs over Mercury 85-75.
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