ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Atlanta Dream look to keep pace near the top of the WNBA standings when they host the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday night at State Farm Arena. Atlanta enters the game at 18-11, while Phoenix is 12-19. The teams last met May 24, with the Dream earning an 82-80 home victory. Atlanta is coming off a 109-87 loss to Las Vegas on Monday, a game in which Angel Reese finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds. Reese has been a consistent force, posting double-doubles in six of her last seven games. Rhyne Howard added 19 points in Monday’s loss, and Brionna Jones contributed nine points off the bench. Phoenix arrives after a 106-101 win over Chicago on Monday. Alyssa Thomas recorded a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists, while Kahleah Copper scored 31 points. Thomas has been productive throughout the season’s second half, including a 25-point, nine-rebound, eight-assist effort against Golden State on July 29 and a 19-point, 11-rebound, 15-assist night against Los Angeles on July 22. The Mercury have struggled with consistency, but Thomas gives them a chance against a strong Atlanta frontcourt. The Dream have won six of their last eight games, with their only losses coming to Portland on July 11 and Las Vegas on Monday. Atlanta’s offense has been powered by Reese’s inside presence and Howard’s perimeter scoring. Phoenix will need to rebound well and limit second-chance points to slow down the Dream. Interstat’s game simulator projects an Atlanta win, 96-88. The Dream are likely to lean on Reese early, especially against a Mercury defense that has allowed at least 100 points in three of its last five games. Tipoff is scheduled for Wednesday night. The Mercury then travel to Connecticut on Friday, while Atlanta visits Washington on Friday.