What happened: On The Dan Le Batard Show, Jessica Smetana said she kept her Angel Reese support despite ridicule from co-hosts. She said the move from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream unlocked Reese's stretch as a physical driver of a Finals run. Smetana said the Dream let Game 1 slip late before answering with a defensive rout in Game 2 against Gabby Williams.

Why it matters: Smetana framed shot creation as the separation because Atlanta's defense matched up across the series. She said Reese carried the gap while Rhyne Howard endured a poor shooting stretch and Alicia Gray worked back from a finger absence. A title would validate the Dream's acquisition over development in Chicago.

What to watch: Smetana said the next test is whether Atlanta sustains Game 2 defensive pressure and gets steadier scoring beside Reese.