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10/29 10:36 CDT Valkyries look to clinch first WNBA title as they take a 3-2
series lead into Game 6 against Dream
Valkyries look to clinch first WNBA title as they take a 3-2 series lead into
Game 6 against Dream
By CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) --- The Golden State Valkyries are hoping to clinch their first
WNBA championship as they take a 3-2 series lead over the Atlanta Dream into
Thursday's Game 6 of the Finals.
Coach Natalie Nakase says her players are ready despite the 12:30 p.m. EDT
tipoff, which is a 9:30 a.m. start by their normal California time.
"We prepared for this," Nakase said before Thursday's game. "We knew when they
announced it. We're good."
The Valkyries' strong finish in the series came after Nakase tweaked her lineup
for a 67-62 Game 4 win. Nakase added Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles into the
lineup and had Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Landalasini come off the bench. The
new starting five produced a 64-55 win in Game 5.
Hayes played 10 seasons for Atlanta and came out of retirement two years ago.
Nakase said before Thursday's game, "we just needed something different,
really," and added "I'm just going with my gut."
Nakase praised her players for accepting the changes with "zero tension ... no
ego. They were amazing."
Dream coach Karl Smesko is looking to regain the offensive momentum the team
displayed in winning two of the first three games of the series.
Smesko has complained about inconsistent officiating in the series.
"It's hard to plan because you don't know on which day if it's going to be
tight or if they're going to let as much contact as has been going on the last
couple games," Smesko said Wednesday. "You just hope that it's called the same
way that it's supposed to be called all year."
The Dream announced on Wednesday a sellout for Game 6 despite the
much-criticized early tipoff time. The Dream need a win to force a Game 7 on
Saturday night in California.
___
See AP's full WNBA coverage here
