Mystics vs. Dream Preview: A High-Stakes Battle for Playoff Spot – The Desperate Dream Seeks to Keep Hopes Alive

On September 16 at 3 AM, the WNBA regular season continues with the Washington Mystics hosting the Atlanta Dream.

This is a crucial match that will determine playoff berths, with both teams facing each other in back-to-back games within three days. In their previous encounter, the Mystics narrowly won by 3 points on the road against the Dream. With this victory, the Mystics surpassed the Dream and the Sky, climbing to the 8th spot in the league. Currently, the Mystics have the same record as the Sky but lead the Dream by one win. The competition for the final playoff spot remains intense, making the next three games extremely important.

The Mystics are currently in the best form, having won 7 out of their last 9 games. It’s worth noting that they only won 6 out of their first 28 games. As more players recover from injuries, the Mystics have demonstrated their true strength. The team averages 79.4 points per game, ranking fourth-last in the league, and concedes an average of 82.1 points per game, fifth-last in the league. However, these statistics are not particularly indicative.

The Mystics lack big-name stars but have a well-distributed scoring lineup. Top scorer Atkins averages only 14.6 points per game, while players like Sikes, Austin, and Dolson also score in double digits. Additionally, Samuelson, Vanloo, Edwards, Kimbro, Cunnane, Engstler, and Melbourne all contribute over 5 points per game on average. The Mystics are one of the most accurate three-point shooting teams in the league, and when they get hot from beyond the arc, it’s tough for opponents to contain them.

The Dream, with a record of 12 wins and 25 losses, rank 10th and face the most precarious situation. For the Dream, this game is nothing short of a do-or-die battle, and a loss would effectively end their playoff hopes. Their desire to win this game is unquestionable. The Dream has the weakest offense in the league, averaging only 76.8 points per game, which ranks last in the league. However, their defense is decent, allowing an average of 80.5 points per game, ranking fifth-best in the league.

The Dream’s top scorer is Howard, who averages 17.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, although she shot just 2-for-10 in the last game. A. Gray averages 15.8 points and 4.3 rebounds, veteran Charles contributes 14.9 points and 9.4 rebounds, and Canada adds 10.1 points and 5.9 assists per game. The team’s offense relies heavily on these four players, while S. Parker and Powers are sidelined due to injury.

In their three previous meetings this season, the Mystics have a slight edge with a 2-1 record, though two games were decided by fewer than 6 points, indicating a close matchup. Given that this game will decide a playoff berth, it is likely to be a closely contested affair until the very end.

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