Dream relish playoff-like intensity on road, hold off Fever - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — The Gainbridge Arena crowd erupted following a nifty Sophie Cunningham reverse layup to tie the score with 5:08 remaining, bringing the Indiana Fever back from a 13-point deficit to the Atlanta Dream.

That would be as good as it got for the home team.

In a playoff-type environment, the Dream closed their second-highest scoring game of the season in a 108-101 win Thursday, avenging a double-digit loss to the Fever two weeks ago in which Atlanta was held to its fewest points of the season.

Thursday's matchup, an early-season test between two title contenders, could easily be a playoff preview. The teams will run it back Saturday in Atlanta for a 1 p.m. game on ABC.

The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Fever (9-6), who allowed a season high in points after picking up their defensive efforts for much of June. It was their third loss when scoring 100-plus points this year, the most in the WNBA.

«The more you play in playoff intensity games that has this type of edge to it and when both teams are playing at that level where they're both playing really well… the more comfortable you'll be in those situations,» Dream coach Karl Smesko said. «So, it's a great road win against a really good team.»

Before the game, Dream center Angel Reese spoke about the need to close games when they have opponents on the ropes. There were plenty of chances to put Thursday night's game away, but the Fever can put up points in a hurry. After Cunningham tied the score, the Dream (10-4) responded with a 13-6 run, with Rhyne Howard and Reese leading the way.

«We kind of talked a little bit at halftime about not getting comfortable,» Reese said. «I think we kind of stayed together and continued to push. We knew they were