Boost in energy steps up defense

With point guard Clarendon as leader, team earns rout.

Dream coach Michael Cooper wasn’t going to let his point guard be “mediocre.”

Behind court general Layshia Clarendon’s careerhigh 27 points, the Dream routed the Indiana Fever 89-68 Friday night at McCamish Pavilion.

“I thought this was a very good game that we played,” Cooper said. “What we talked about in shootaround today is our energy, our effort. Going back looking at the film in the season, every game we’ve won, it’s always because we gave high energy and a great amount of effort in the beginning of the games to get off to good starts.”

The Dream (7-8) had lost seven of nine entering Friday. They surrendered 82 or more points in six of those games. But Friday was its best defensive showing of the season.

Now the Dream host Dallas today before a west road trip takes it to Phoenix and Seattle.

“We switch up our defenses a lot,” Clarendon said. “So that’s the most effective thing … As a point guard, that’s really hard to execute against because you’re constantly changing and you can’t get a rhythm … I think it’s hard for an offense to find a flow.”

Atlanta acquired Clarendon from Indiana a season ago.

“Coop was riding me before the game,” she said. “I think that helped me some … A little bit of credit to him for just riding me and then just me realizing I have to attack. The team goes as I go. That’s a lot of pressure to carry, but it’s a big honor as a leader.”

She added Cooper said he wouldn’t let her development stagnate and had been especially tough on her in recent weeks. Cooper benched Clarendon after two quick turnovers Wednesday in Dallas.

“Layshia, she’s an extension of me,” Cooper said. “So a lot of the time, when we’re not playing well, she catches the bulk of that negative energy sometimes. I have to give her credit because she’s established the way we’re going to play. Every time she does that, we usually have a good basketball game.”