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Ivory CoastHow a Midseason Florida Trip Fueled Atlanta Dream WNBA Finals Push
A mini training camp in Boca Raton helped the Atlanta Dream bond and gear up for their WNBA Finals run.
Building chemistry in Florida
At the end of August, the Atlanta Dream were rolling. They beat Las Vegas and Minnesota, while star Angel Reese set a single season record with her 29th double double. Then the WNBA paused for 17 days for the FIBA World Cup.
While four players went to Berlin, the rest of the squad gathered in Boca Raton, Florida. The trip came right after veteran DeWanna Bonner joined the team on August 27 following a buyout with the Phoenix Mercury. Naz Hillmon suggested the mini camp, and players used the time to build a bond.
Hard work on and off the court
The break was not a midseason vacation. The team practiced at Florida Atlantic University, scrimmaging against male practice players and drilling on defense under coach Karl Smesko. Bonner used the time to learn Smesko's style and guide younger players like Te-Hina Paopao.
Off the court, players watched World Cup games together, visited the beach, and went golfing, where Jordin Canada caddied for Allisha Gray. General manager Dan Padover organized a WNBA trivia battle, which Bonner and Canada won.
A streak leading to the Finals
Atlanta has won 10 of 11 games since the break, including a Game 2 victory that tied the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries. Their 10 straight wins going into Game 1 matched the 2017 Los Angeles Sparks for the longest streak entering the Finals in WNBA history.
The Dream had not won a playoff series since 2018. Veterans Bonner, Canada, and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough bring five championship rings of past experience to young stars like Reese, Hillmon, and Rhyne Howard.
What it means for the next game
Golden State Valkyries at Atlanta Dream (WNBA, Thu, 22 Oct): Atlanta Dream win 54%, Golden State Valkyries win 46%; projected score Atlanta Dream 79, Golden State Valkyries 77. Our safest pick: Valkyries +10.5.
Golden State Valkyries at Atlanta Dream (WNBA, Sat, 24 Oct): Atlanta Dream win 45%, Golden State Valkyries win 55%; projected score Atlanta Dream 83, Golden State Valkyries 84. Our safest pick: Dream +8.5.
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Golden State Valkyries
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