The Atlanta Dream have to figure out how to get their offense going in a do-or-die Game 6 after scoring just 62 and 55 points, respectively, in their last two losses. Shots didn’t fall, and they turned the ball over way too many times. Those are the two most obvious reasons for the offensive collapses.
Another one is that the Dream simply haven’t been able to get easy fast-break opportunities through their defense. The Dream led the league in points off turnovers in the regular season and finished second in fast-break points per game. Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, Angel Reese, and their ability to get steals created many of those opportunities. They led the WNBA in steals per game in that order.
The Dream played their style of basketball in the first two rounds of the playoffs and in their two finals wins. They averaged 38.5 points off turnovers per game against the Washington Mystics and totaled 14 steals over two games between Howard, Canada, and Reese. They did the same against the New York Liberty, averaging 12 fast-break points per game, 24 points off turnovers, and 5.3 steals from their top three defenders.
That is also how the Dream beat the Valkyries in Games 2 and 3 of the finals. They scored 19 and 22 fast-break points, respectively, got over 20 points off turnovers in each game, and Howard alone recorded 11 steals.
Since then, they haven't gotten as many steals, forced as many turnovers, or created as many easy offensive opportunities off those turnovers, which heavily contributed to their offensive collapses in Games 4 and 5.
If they can get back to doing what they do best on the defensive end, the Dream will have a chance to rediscover their offense and force a Game 7.
The Dream struggled to force turnovers in Games 4 and 5
In many ways, the Dream did their job defensively. The Valkyries shot worse than 40% from the field and 25% or worse from behind the arc in both games. Gabby Williams only scored nine points on 3-of-14 shooting in Game 5.
Still, the Dream couldn’t force turnovers, and that doomed them. They scored a combined four fast-break points over both games and got just 14 points off turnovers. Reese, Canada, and Howard combined for just five steals.
That’s not Atlanta Dream basketball. The Valkyries deserve a lot of credit for taking care of the ball—Veronica Burton, especially. She went without a turnover in Game 4 and recorded just two in Game 5. Still, the Dream have to find a way to make the Valkyries uncomfortable and create offensive opportunities out of their defense.
At the very least, forcing turnovers will give the Dream more possessions to try and combat their shooting woes.
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