No one has brought the worst out of the Connecticut Sun this season more than the Atlanta Dream.

Atlanta has a way of doing that to opposing offenses.

The defensive Dream have beaten Connecticut twice this year and held the Sun under 37 percent shooting both times. They’ve also hurt the Sun at the free throw line.

The teams meet for the third and final time on Tuesday night at Mohegan Sun Arena (NBCSB, 7).

“They do a really good job (defensively),” Sun coach Curt Miller said. “It’s uncanny. Even in their win on Sunday (over the fourth-place Washington Mystics), they shot 35.6 percent (to the Mystics’ 40 percent) and won the game (80-77).

“You see that maybe at the college level, but you don’t always see that at the pro level.”

Tuesday’s game has an extra twist because it’s the first time the teams have played since they swapped guards last Monday. Connecticut acquired Layshia Clarendon and a second-round pick in the 2019 draft in exchange for Alex Bentley, the latter whom sources told WNBAinsidr.com had an altercation with Sun Courtney Williams.

Williams missed four games due to what the team called a “personal matter” prior to the trade and returned immediately afterward. Connecticut, Bentley and Williams have all declined comment on the report.

“There’s admiration (for Bentley),” Miller said. “You just don’t lose that feeling right away. I wish her well and certainly will always care for her.

“At the same time, coaching against (Atlanta coach) Nicki (Collen, Miller’s former assistant) or any close friend, for two hours, you have to find ways to be successful against people you care about.”

Atlanta (12-9) has found its groove of late and has the WNBA’s longest current winning streak (four). It’s also won six of its last 10.

Connecticut is 12-10.

The Dream have held opponents to a league-low 41.8 percent shooting and 0.959 points per possession. Opponents have also averaged 15.3 turnovers, second-most in the league.

Atlanta power forward Jessica Breland (1.9) and center Elizabeth Williams (1.8) are second and fourth, respectively, in blocks per game.

The presence of Angel McCoughtry also helps the Dream on both ends. She’s been a five-time WNBA All-Defensive first team honoree over the previous eight seasons and a second team pick her rookie year (2009).

“They’ve got great defensive personnel,” Miller said. “This league is so much about rim protection and they have two of the best (in Breland and Williams). … Then surround them with incredible athletes at guard.”

The Sun shot 36.6 percent in a June 5 loss at Atlanta (67-64).

The second loss went even worse for Connecticut (75-70, June 22). It led 50-37 with 4 minutes, 59 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Sun's offense then went cold while the Dream got hot.

Renee Montgomery’s 3-pointer gave Atlanta its biggest lead, 71-56 with 3:15 remaining in the game.

The Sun finished shooting 35.8 percent.

“You don’t get a lot of open shots (against Atlanta),” Miller said. “So when you finally do get open shots, there is a little more pressure to make them.”

Fouls hurt Connecticut in both losses, most especially the second. It had a 35-21 disadvantage in foul calls. It's averaged a league-high 21.4 fouls.

The Dream made 27 of 41 free throws in that second game. That’s one off the mark for the most free throw attempts by a team in a game this season, according to National Statistical. The Dallas Wings shot 42 in a 101-78 win over Atlanta on May 20.

Atlanta is third in average free throw attempts (21.9). McCoughtry, one of the WNBA's all-time prolific scorers, has led the league in attempts five times. She made 19 of 22 in a 79-72 loss to the New York Liberty this year (June 19).

“They’re very difficult to defend and they do a really good job of throwing their bodies into you,” Miller said. “They challenge you to take charges with their penetration.”

n.griffen@theday.com