Storm (3-8) at Atlanta Dream (4-6)

Philips Arena | Atlanta, Ga.

July 5, 2015 | 12 p.m. PT

Broadcast: Live Access, SportSouth

 

2014 vs. Atlanta: 1-1

Last meeting: W 88-68 (August 7, 2014)

Leading scorer: Camille Little 21

 

Friday night in Minnesota did not go to plan and the Storm will look to get pointed in the right direction when it takes on Atlanta on Sunday afternoon.

It is the second of a three-game road trip that will conclude with a matchup with Indiana on Wednesday.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jenna O’Hea

While everyone knows how Sue Bird can find a teammate for the easy baskets but Jenna O’Hea has been a good second option of late. Over her last eight games, she is averaging 3.9 assists and tied a career-high six on Friday against Minnesota.

BIRD FLYING HIGH

The Storm has caught fire as Sue Bird has. Over the last seven days, the 14-year veteran is one of only two players in the league averaging at least 15 points (15.7) and five assists with the other being Phoenix’s DeWanna Bonner. Bird is shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 40 percent from three in that stretch.

REMEMBER THE NAME

Ramu Tokashiki seems to have turned a corner in her development and has been an impact player for the Storm over the last four games. In that period, she is averaging 13 points while shooting 55.5 percent from the field and has picked up 1.8 blocks per contest. Going into the weekend, the 6-foot-3 forward is leading all WNBA rookies and is eighth overall with 1.3 blocks per game.

JEWELL SHINING OFF BENCH

Much like Ramu Tokashiki, rookie Jewell Loyd has also become more comfortable in the WNBA and it is showing. Over her last three games, she is averaging 13.6 points per game and dropped a career-high 21 against Tulsa last Sunday. She is shooting 45.2 percent from the field and is a perfect 11-for-11 from the stripe.

‘THE BENCH MOB’

The bench continues to impress in the early part of the season and has been a difference maker all year. In fact, the bench carried the way on Sunday as it poured out a league-high 54 points, which included a career-high 21 points from both Ramu Tokashiki and Jewell Loyd. Entering Thursday, the bench has averaged 27.4 points through the first 11 games, which is second best in the league behind only Indiana (28.3).

SUE PASSES SHERYL

With her three pointer late in the fourth quarter on June 25, Sue Bird eclipsed Sheryl Swoopes for 13th on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list. She has averaged 15.7 points in her last three games and now sits at 4,917. The next two on the list are Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who finished with 5,013 points, and Tangela Smith with 5,048.

SCOUTING ATLANTA

It all starts with Angel McCoughtry. The 6-1 wing is averaging 20.5 points per game, which is second in the league behind Elena Delle Donne, and is an 85.2 percent free throw shooter. However, as a team, the Dream is the worst shooting team in the league at 39.3 percent and is the second worst three-point shooting team at 28 percent. Their success have been on the boards as they lead the league in offensive rebounds (13 per game).

KEYS TO THE GAME

Forget Friday and hit the boards. After a rough night in Minnesota, the quicker the Storm forgets about that night, the better and the Storm will have to focus on limiting second chances for Atlanta. Seattle is last in the WNBA in rebounding and Atlanta is one of the best. Because Atlanta has had issues hitting baskets, the fewer chances the Dream gets, the better chance the Storm has of picking up the win.