The Atlanta Dream got their Dream deferred as the Indiana Fever gave a total team effort and defended home court. This game had Erlana Larkins wriiten all over. Larkins finished with a double double 16 points and 20 rebounds and single handedly outplayed the front court duo of Sancho Lyttle and Erica Desouza. Angel McCoughtry and Lindsey Harding probably had something to do with that after they combined for 42 shot attempts. It was a two woman show for the Dream while four Fever players scoring in double figures. That proved to be the difference in the game. Erlana Larkins made a name for herself with her franchise record of 20 rebounds. She dominated the boards and was the X Factor that the Fever needed to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Tamika Catchings may have caught the break she needed to get back to the WNBA Finals with Erlana Larkins. Katie Douglas found herself open more than once behind the arc and was able to break out of her shooting slump. That allowed more opportunities for her teammates which had the Dream’s defense in disarray. With Catchings healthy and leading the way the defensive player of the year led her team as they defended home court.
Coach Dunn had an impressive game plan and managed Tamika Catchings minutes very well. She has been able to do damage in the 4th quarter due to the fact that she is able to rest. A player that plays both ends of the floor like Catchings will run out of steam at some point in a game. This year with the help of Briana January, Larkins, and Zellous she can get the rest she needs and finish strong in the fourth.