No sweet dreams for Lynx

BY MIKE PEDEN

If the Minnesota Lynx's performance over the last few games was described in one word, inconsistent would be a very good candidate.

Three days after their road win over San Antonio, the Lynx returned home only to lose to the Atlanta Dream 91-77 at Target Center Wednesday.

The Dream (7-8) made 53% of their shots from the floor while the Lynx made only 36% of their field goals. Chamique Holdsclaw tied her season high with 28 points for the Dream.

"She played with a playoff mentality," said Lynx head coach Jennifer Gillom.

The Dream also cast a nightmare behind the arc. Iziane Castro Marques sank four of five three-pointers for a 20-point game, helping the Dream go seven for nine behind the three-point line. The Lynx made only five out of 24 three-point shots.

Gillom said nothing could be done solve the Lynx's shooting woes.

"You just hope that you can get on the defensive end and not allow them to score," she said. "We were more focused on our missed shots than we were on them scoring."

The Lynx (9-6) had several chances to steal the win. After falling behind by 12 in the second quarter, the Lynx cut the lead to two to end the half, only for the Dream to go on a 15-4 run to start the third.

The Lynx came within a possession again in the fourth, when Candice Wiggins scored a layup off a jump ball to make the score 73-72 with 6:21 left. Right on cue, Atlanta finished the game with an 18-5 run.

"Every time we tried to come, they had something to counter it," said Lynx forward Rashanda McCants.

"You got to get them while they're down," Gillom said. "You can't relax at any time, and there were some times where we very complacent on defense."

McCants provided a quick spark in the first with six points before leaving the game twice; once for an ankle injury and once for a head injury after taking a charge. McCants scored only one point the rest of the game.

"I'm a tough girl. Even if it's painful, I'll just keep playing," she said.

Lynx center Nicky Anosike led the team with 22 points, sinking eight of her nine free throw attempts.

The Lynx go on the road to play the Seattle Storm and Los Angeles Sparks before the All-Star break.