Mystics vs. Dream preview: Washington looks to snap Atlanta’s eight-game win streak

The Mystics (14-11) face off the Dream (16-9) on the road in their first game after the All-Star Break.

Game Info

When: Tuesday July 31 at 7:00 P.M. ET

Where: McCamish Pavillion in Atlanta, GA

How to watch: Twitter Sports

Injuries

Mystics: Natasha Cloud is questionable, due to a concussion, but she’ll probably be able to play.

Dream: Damiris Dantas is questionable (right ankle)

Pregame Notes

Atlanta is 2-0 against the Mystics this season

This is the third time both teams meet this month. On July 11, their first match-up of the season, the Dream blew out the Mystics out in DC. Atlanta shot 60% from the field and nailed an impressive 11 of 18 three pointers. In their second meeting on July 15, the Mystics fell short by 3 points in a late comeback. Washington started the game strong with a 16-2 lead but in the final seconds Toliver missed a jumper that would have put them ahead.

The Mystics need to know it’s a marathon not a sprint

Washington needs to go hard the entire game if they think that they’re going to snap Atlanta’s 8-game win streak. The Mystics only outscored the Dream in the first quarter which is an improvement from their first game where they were outscored all four quarters.

Know where Angel McCoughtry and Tiffany Hayes are

Hayes and McCoughtry are putting up consistent number’s this season. Hayes is leading the Dream in scoring with 17.2 points per game and McCoughtry is right behind her with an average of 16.5 points per game. With this game being at home for ATL, the Mystics are going to have to apply even more pressure to these two.

It’s going to take more than Kristi Toliver and Elena Delle Donne to take down Atlanta

The entire season the Mystics have looked for Toliver and especially EDD to carry the team. Delle Donne and Toliver have been averaging 20.5 and 13.7 points per game respectively but at this point in the season, it’s evident that players like Ariel Atkins, LaToya Sanders, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, Monique Currie, and a healthy Natasha Cloud can put up numbers and will be relied on to perform from now on.