The Atlanta Dream hosted the Los Angeles Sparks Sunday afternoon at the Philips Arena and gave them an old fashioned ATL beat down 91-74.
Atlanta got off to a good start despite early foul trouble from Angel McCoughtry who picked up three fouls in the first quarter. Atlanta pushed the lead to as many as 14 in the fourth and had an answer every time the Sparks looked like they might threaten.
The Dream snapped the Sparks nine-game winning streak and put the breaks on the on their historic 20-1 record. Layshia Clarendon had 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Atlanta. Angel McCoughtry had 17 points, Bria Holmes scored a career-high tying 15 and Tiffany Hayes added 14 points for the Dream (12-11).
The Los Angeles Sparks were averaging 86.2 points but were held to 74 points Sunday. Nneka Ogwumike had a huge game for the Sparks posting 26 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two assists. Hometown hero Candace Parker finished the game with 22 points, nine rebounds, five assist and one steal for the Sparks.
Dream coach Michael Cooper was extremely pleased at Holmes play over Parker. He said the veterans of the league are creatures of habits and Holmes learned how to defend against Parker which is going to make her a better player. Cooper says “This was not a blow out this was an a** kicking” and how this was a team win and his attempts to get the younger players involved. He is also shares his thoughts of the what he is looking for from his centers the rest of the way.
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