Nia Coffey # 12 of the Atlanta Dream shoots the sphere throughout the video game against the Las Vegas Aces on August 1, 2023 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Copyright 2023 NBAE Who to root for, what video games to watch, and homecourt benefit on the line By W.G. Ramirez Its been five years considering that the Atlanta Dream made the playoffs and in the home stretch of the 2023 project, the Dream are betting even more than simply making the postseason. By padding the win column over its last 12 games, and obtaining some aid in the process, Atlantas enthusiastic and faithful follower base has a possibility to see its team host at the very least one collection. While the leagues top 3 groups Las Vegas, New York and Connecticut may be hard to capture, the Desire remain in a battle for the WNBAs fourth seed, which has outsized value over the fifth seed. The top four teams host a best-of-three collection in the opening round, and Atlanta heads right into Thursday evenings match in Seattle resting fourth general in the WNBA standings. Yet just hardly. Dallas, Minnesota and Washington are all within 2 games of the Desire. It would definitely profit the Dream to open up with two games in Atlanta, where they lately hosted their 10th sellout of the period. It was the 4th successive sellout for Atlanta, where the Desire have actually come to be accustomed to performing before an electric ambience that can be fairly worrying for their guests. The Desire, that have actually won 8 of 14 in the house and outscored their visitors 84.9 83.6 there, will play six of their 12 continuing to be games in Atlanta. Along the road, theyll host 4 of the abovementioned challengers. Theyll also go to 3 of them. " We just need to take it eventually at a time, making certain that we understand what our game strategy is and see to it that were really regular with what we bring to each game, Nia Coffey stated. I believe if we stay concentrated on what our objectives are for that day, thats what actually maintains us based" Sitting fifth is Dallas, which is in hot quest simply one-half video game back from the Desire. Remarkably, Minnesota has actually shrugged off a 4-9 beginning by winning 10 of 16 and are charging hard in 6th location, simply one and one-half video games behind the Dream. Minnesota and Dallas play each other 2 more times, while the Desire go to the Lynx in Minneapolis on Sept. 1, and liquidate their season by holding the Wings on Sept. 10. Behind Minnesota rest Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles, all three of whom the Desire play in the final weeks of the season. Thankfully for the Desire, they have a cumulative 13-7 document against the 9 groups theyll encounter over the last 12 games this season 6 of which they have winning documents: Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, Indiana, Minnesota and Washington. Atlanta is 1-1 against Phoenix and has yet to beat Las Vegas or Dallas. DESIRE VIDEO GAME TO SEE: Several staying games stand apart for Atlanta, such as Saturday in Los Angeles, which is the very first of back-to-back days, prior to playing in Las Vegas on Sunday. A lookahead might show costly. However there may be none more crucial by the time Sept. 1 rolls around when the Dream visit surging Minnesota. The Lynx will be coming off their back-to-back video games against Dallas, a home game vs. the Liberty Dream Jersey, and a trip to Washington prior to holding the Dream. And if the Lynx are still spending time, this could be a possibility for Atlanta to serve a knockout strike. OTHER GAMES TO WATCH: Its the back-to-back between Minnesota and Dallas on Aug. 22 and 24 that appears to be essential for the Dream. A split would certainly be optimal, as neither the Lynx neither the Wings would acquire anything from both video games. They would assist terminate one an additional out around the same time the Dream are in the middle of a three-game homestand against Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. GAMER TO SEE: Every person recognizes with what the Dream have in All-Stars Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Cheyenne Parker. Additionally, Nia Coffeys payments speak for themselves, at both ends of the floor. But Aari McDonalds existence given that returning to the lineup has actually been, and will certainly be necessary, for the Desire in the home stretch. In her first 5 games of the period, McDonald balanced 6.0 factors per video game. Since returning on July 20, she has actually given an uptick in production with 8.0 ppg. She rates fourth on the team this period with 7.2 ppg. and is connected for third with 3.0 assists per game. However, for a group packed with function gamers, its greater than statistics that have come to be vital when it comes to McDonalds existence on the flooring. " Its simply her power and just her task, Coffey stated Its very disruptive, and that really assists too because since shes protecting that factor guard setting, theyre expected to be leading their team and reaching their areas and getting the ball to the right individuals at the correct time, and the appropriate areas. And she presses people off of their mark, she reduces people down, so it actually junks up their violation, so her intensity and her activity is super crucial for our protection.".