WNBA gameday discussion: Will the Dallas Wings and Atlanta Dream deliver another offensive showdown?

TL;DR

The Dallas Wings scored a record 107 points in their opening game, while the Atlanta Dream scored 91 points in a comeback win. Their upcoming matchup is expected to be a high-scoring affair.

Key points

Dallas Wings scored 107 points in their opening game
Atlanta Dream scored 91 points in a comeback win
Wings' guard trio combined for significant scoring
Dream dominated the boards with Angel Reese's performance
Matchup could hinge on Wings' foul vulnerability

Dallas WingsAtlanta Dream

Allisha Gray. | NBAE via Getty Images On Saturday, the Dallas Wings netted 107 points, the most ever in a WNBA opening game. Later that night, the Atlanta Dream dropped 91 points in their comeback win, doing so after scoring just 37 points in the first half. In short, Tuesday night’s matchup between the Wings and Dream in Dallas could be an offensive explosion (8 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass). Dallas’ opening day offensive outburst was driven by their starting guard trio of Arike Ogunbowale, Paige Buecekrs and Odyssey Sims, all of whom scored at least 20 points on better than 53 percent shooting. Plus, Aziaha James served as fourth scoring guard, with 10 points on 60 percent shooting from the bench. As a team, Dallas shot almost 60 percent from the field, and over 50 percent from 3. Yeah, that’s unsustainable. But, there are reasons to be confident in what Dallas did. The Wings racked up all those buckets around the basket and behind the arc, achieving an analytically-optimal shot profile. Only Bueckers did her work in the midrange, as she should have permission to do. Even as both Ogunbowale and Sims are streaky scorers, that head coach Jose Fernandez has coaxed them into taking more-efficient shots—cause they’re going to keep taking shots—is encouraging. Yet, the Wings guards can expect to encounter more resistance on Tuesday. While the Dream did allow the Lynx to score 90 points, they limited Minnesota to 38 points in the second half, effectively containing both Kayla McBride and . The combination of , Allisha Gray and can matchup pretty well with whatever three-guard group Dallas deploys. Plus, Atlanta, in contrast to the , has two, not just one, solid post defender in and , both of whom can potentially make it harder for to serve as a playmaking hub. If is stationed as stretch big, both Reese and Hillmon also can comfortably defend her away from the basket. When Atlanta’s offense came to life in the second half in Minnesota, it was not due to the 3-ball. One of the most prolific 3-point shooting teams in W last season, the Dream shot less than 25 percent from 3, making only one of their 11 second-half attempts. Instead, Atlanta attacked the basket and earned their way to the foul line. And, as would be expected of the team that now employs Angel Reese, the Dream dominated the glass. Atlanta secured over 60 percent of available boards in their win, with Angel grabbing 14 total, including nine o-boards. Although Atlanta certainly would like to see their 3s fall, the Dream can exploit the Wings with a similar script. Dallas has multiple defenders vulnerable to foul trouble; on the perimeter, both Ogunbowale and Sims ended the opener with five, while, in the frontcourt, Smith was limited to less than 20 minutes due to instant foul trouble and Shepard also finished with five. (Or maybe Wings fans want Arike and Odyssey to get in foul trouble to open up more minutes for Azzi?) The Wings’ foul vulnerability could be exacerbated by their rebounding vulnerability, as, in their effort to keep Angel off the glass, they could end up hacking her. If the second-half Dream show up on Tuesday, they should have the advantage. However, Paige is Paige and, even if their opening explosion is not replicable, these are not last season’s Wings. What’s your assessment? Can the Dream go into Dallas and give the Wings a reality check? Or, will the opposite occur, with the Wings flexing their firepower on Atlanta?

Q&A

What record did the Dallas Wings set in their opening game?

The Dallas Wings set a record by scoring 107 points, the most ever in a WNBA opening game.

How did the Atlanta Dream perform in their last game?

The Atlanta Dream scored 91 points in a comeback win after only scoring 37 points in the first half.

What are the key player matchups for the Wings vs. Dream game?

Key matchups include the Wings' guard trio of Arike Ogunbowale, Paige Bueckers, and Odyssey Sims against the Dream's Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, and Rhyne Howard.

What factors could influence the outcome of the Wings vs. Dream game?

Foul trouble for the Wings' defenders and the Dream's rebounding strength, particularly with Angel Reese, could significantly influence the game's outcome.