Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston battle, however Indiana nonetheless wins

[ad_1] ATLANTA – The Indiana Fever avenged their Tuesday loss with a Thursday win, taking down the Dream 81-76 in Atlanta within the second sport of a back-to-back between the 2 groups.

Natasha Howard led the Fever with 26 factors, whereas Kelsey Mitchell adopted with 17.

Indiana is now 2-1 and can play the defending champion New York Liberty on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Fever vs. Dream field rating: What number of factors did Caitlin Clark, Rhyne Howard rating?

Listed here are 4 observations:

Natasha Howard fuels Fever in bounceback sport New Fever addition Natasha Howard appeared out of sync within the Fever's first sport towards the Dream on Tuesday night time — she went simply 3-of-9 from the sphere and missed 4 free throws within the fourth quarter, in addition to the potential game-winning shot.

And it looks as if she took that personally.

Howard was the one powering the Fever in Atlanta, racking up 21 factors by the top of the third quarter. She simply lower by Dream bigs Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner — one thing she struggled with Tuesday — and will simply seize her teammates' passes within the paint.

Howard was the participant the Fever wanted on an important night time. She was calm and picked up and did not get too excessive or too low — which was essential with Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark's struggles. Howard completed with 26 factors on 12-of-17 taking pictures, together with seven rebounds.

Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston marred by foul hassle Two days after having 27 and 24 factors, respectively, towards the Dream, Clark and Boston have been marred by foul hassle Thursday night time.

Each of the Fever's No. 1 picks had three fouls by halftime — one thing that's uncommon for the duo. They began the third quarter, then every picked up a fourth foul, forcing them to sit down. After they returned, they needed to be cautious with their protection.

That foul hassle, together with stingy protection from the Dream, additionally restricted their effectiveness. Boston completed the sport with simply 4 factors and 7 rebounds, whereas Clark had 11 factors, 4 rebounds and 6 assists.

In all, there was a significant disparity between the Fever and the Dream on the free-throw line. Atlanta went to the road 23 occasions, making 18 photographs, whereas the Fever went simply 8-of-15 from the road.

Sophie Cunningham returns following ankle harm Again within the metropolis the place she first suffered her proper ankle harm that stored her out of the Fever's first two video games, Sophie Cunningham returned to the courtroom for the primary time on Thursday at State Farm Area.

Cunningham went down with an ankle harm within the Fever's preseason finale at Atlanta on Might 10, touchdown awkwardly and stepping on Dream ahead Rhyne Howard's foot. She did not return to the sport and left Gateway Middle Area in a boot.

Cunningham has been training for a couple of week now, returning to staff actions on Might 16 — the day earlier than the Fever's season-opener. She constantly informed Fever coach Stephanie White she was able to play, however White needed to guarantee that she was at 100% earlier than she returned.

"I feel crucial factor for us was ensuring that she had her steadiness again when it comes to, you understand, her explosiveness and her touchdown, and he or she wasn't compensating in any manner which may have set her up for future harm or have setbacks," White mentioned pregame. "So, that is that is been remedied. She's gotten some exercises in, and it seems good, and he or she's near regular. So we're prepared to offer her a go."

Cunningham didn't have a minutes restriction in her return, both. She was a direct spark when she got here in for the primary time within the first quarter. She was an integral a part of Indiana's 11-0 run within the second quarter, which put the Fever again within the lead.

Caitlin Clark, Rhyne Howard scuffle Taking part in their second straight sport towards one another (and third in two weeks), issues rapidly received chippy between the Fever and the Dream.

Dream ahead Rhyne Howard was enjoying bodily protection on Clark the complete first quarter. So, when Howard was referred to as for a foul on Clark at halfcourt close to the top of the primary, Clark pushed her shoulder into Howard's chest. Howard pushed again, and the 2 have been rapidly separated by their teammates as Clark turned to Howard and mentioned, "I am not petrified of you."

Howard tried to enchantment to the referees, however no extra fouls or technicals got.

Clark had six technical fouls final season, one shy from getting suspended for a sport with out pay. She hasn't gotten any but this season, however she did choose up a flagrant foul within the first sport of the season.