SB Nation’s Swish Appeal on “the Dream’s transition from scrappy to efficient”:
Although it’s reasonable to be reluctant about relying too heavily on a sample of four playoff games, Atlanta’s transformation has been so dramatic as to not take it lightly and they might give the Storm more of a challenge than most observers might think.
During their playoff run, the Dream have been the most efficient offensive team during the playoffs and have averaged a playoff-high 95.5 points per game through their four games. Meanwhile, they’ve continued to do well getting those energy points leading the league in points in the paint, second chance points, and fast break points during the playoffs. Although they’ve relied less heavily on points off turnovers, they’ve improved to first in the league in points off turnovers during the playoffs.
That said, characterizing this as a series pitting the best offense (Atlanta) against the best defense (Seattle has allowed a league-low 73.5 points per game during the playoffs) is only part of the story – Atlanta is the second most efficient defensive team in the playoffs while Seattle is the second in offensive efficiency.
So the most accurate way to characterize this series is the league’s two most well-rounded post-season teams – they’re each getting it done on both ends.
Also see Swish Appeal’s matchup analysis.