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Takeaways: Natasha Howard powers Storm past Dream

By Bria Felicien

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 28, 2018: Natasha Howard #6 of the Seattle Storm high-fives teammates against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 28, 2018 at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Joshua Huston/NBAE via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 28, 2018: Natasha Howard #6 of the Seattle Storm high-fives teammates against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 28, 2018 at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Joshua Huston/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Dream with no answers for Howard, Canada

ATLANTA — The Storm looked like the defending champions and the Dream seemed to be a step behind all night, falling to 82-66 in State Farm Arena.

In its second game of the 2019 season, an Atlanta team known for its defense didn’t look like themselves.

As Tiffany Hayes said in the Dream’s post-game press conference, Atlanta was “out of sync.”

Multiple Dream players were caught in reaction mode as a Storm player made a wide open layup or jumper after slipping behind or transitioning through the defense. The Dream finished the first half with 11 fouls, with Hayes and Jessica Breland being subbed out before the end of the first half with three each, which head coach Nicki Collen said made a big impact on the game.

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“When this team doesn’t make shots, we know how to grind, but when you take your all-league defenders (Hayes and Breland) out of the game, you don’t grind as well,” Collen said.

The Dream had no answer for Natasha Howard, who finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks and Jordin Canada, who finished with 12 points and eight assists. Canada shot 5-for-11 from the floor, and made big shots during Atlanta runs.

The Dream struggled to get through Seattle’s bigs, but also struggled to score. The Dream shot 33 percent from the floor and 26 percent from three.

Where the Storm were clicking, the Dream looked as if they were still working on trying to find ways to gel.

“It felt like more than a 16-point loss, I can tell you that,” Collen said. “I just don’t think we played well.”

Due to a quick turnaround, Haley Peters and Maite Cazorla saw their first minutes as Dream players in the fourth quarter.

Both Atlanta and Seattle play back-to-backs, with the Dream heading to Washington on Saturday and the Storm heading to Chicago.

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