The Atlanta Dream are 5-2, sitting in fourth place in the WNBA standings after sweeping a two-game West Coast swing against the Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm.
Atlanta’s statistical profile substantiates their record as more than just good fortune. On the season, they’ve outscored opponents by 37 total points, or 5.3 points per game, a mark that ranks third in the league. That success has been driven by their offense, as the Dream’s 85.9 points per game is second only the undefeated and defending champion New York Liberty, while their 106.9 offensive rating trails only that of the Liberty and likewise undefeated Minnesota Lynx.
The Dream aren’t a particularly efficient shooting team, but they are taking a lot of shots, averaging 69.7 overall attempts, with 30.7 of them being 3-point attempts, per game, both of which rank in the top three league wide. A surplus of offensive rebounds and a reduction of turnovers, with the team’s 10.6 o-boards and 13.6 turns both putting them at second-best in W, have contributed to the Dream’s extra scoring opportunities. Atlanta also is earning additional points at the line, as they are taking the second-most free throws per game in the league at 22.4.
Surely all of this offensive success—a stark contrast to last…
