WNBA Playoff Capsules
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -Deanna Nolan scored 25 points and Kara Braxton added 16 as the Detroit Shock rallied for a 94-89 victory over the Atlanta Dream in the opener of Eastern Conference first-round series Wednesday night.
The defending champions trailed by 13 points midway through the third quarter, but dominated the final 15 minutes to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Iziane Castro Marques led Atlanta with 25 points and Angel McCoughtry added 21.
Detroit had a 17-0 run to finish the third and take a 65-61 lead. The advantage grew to 10 with 4 minutes left in the fourth. After cutting the deficit to 90-89, the Dream fouled Nolan with 16.2 seconds to go.
Nolan, woozy after the collision with Sancho Lyttle, was unable to take her free throws. Atlanta coach Marynell Meadors picked Crystal Kelly as Nolan's replacement and Kelly hit both shots.
Castro Marques missed a tying 3-pointer and Nikki Teasley sealed the win from the line for Detroit.
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