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The Las Vegas Aces are the hottest team in the WNBA, and the Atlanta Dream have set a franchise record for wins in a season.
The Aces will visit the Dream on Wednesday night in a game that will affect the top half of the playoff picture.
The Aces (25-14) won their 11th consecutive game when they beat the host Chicago Sky 79-74 on Monday night, clinching a playoff berth in the process.
They have moved into a virtual tie for second place with the Dream (24-13), who broke the franchise record for wins when they beat the visiting New York Liberty 78-62 on Saturday.
“We’ve got to be able to still improve while we’re winning. That’s really important,” Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said. “It’s easy to improve when you’re losing. But you’ve got to have that same edge and mental approach to your success.”
The Aces didn’t have one of their more impressive performances in their narrow victory over Chicago, which was tied for the fewest wins in the league.
“Back in early June, we probably would have lost this game,” said Jackie Young, who led Las Vegas with 22 points. “But I think it just shows our growth throughout the year and how we’re able to just come together as a team and grind out a win. They’re not all going to be pretty.”
The Dream haven’t been as hot as the Aces, but they have won nine of their last 11.
“I feel good about how we’re playing,” Atlanta coach Karl Smesko said. “This is still a really important stretch because I say we’re playing well and there’s probably a handful of other coaches who know their team is playing really well right now, too. It’s hard to get any separation on anybody because there are so many teams that are really putting it together at the right time.”
Allisha Gray paces the Dream with 18.8 points per game and scored 19, with four 3-pointers, against New York.
Las Vegas has won the first two meetings, both at home, 87-72 on July 22 and 74-72 on Aug. 19.
“For us, it’s cool to look at (the standings) and see the movement,” Dream forward Naz Hillmon said. “But our focus is on the next game. We’re worried about what we’re doing to put ourselves in the best overall position, just preparing and putting ourselves in position to win every single night for the rest of the season and the postseason.”
–Field Level Media
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