Preview: The Lynx, who have clinched the top seed for the playoffs, will close out the regular season at home against Atlanta. The Lynx have won five consecutive regular-season games against the Dream. This season the Lynx defeated Atlanta 110-78 on June 10 on the road and 83-65 on July 20 at Trget Center. Atlanta (17-16), which defeated Washington 94-91 on Thursday, will be trying to secure the No. 4 seed for the playoffs. The Dream needs a victory against the Lynx and at least one loss by Chicago in one of the Sky's final two games.
Game preview: Atlanta at Lynx
Players to watch: Going into Friday's game, Lynx C Sylvia Fowles was fourth in the WNBA in rebounding (8.7 per game) and fifth in in FG percentage (59 percent). Dream F Angel McCoughtry returned to the lineup on Thursday after a one-game suspension and scored a game-high 31 points. McCoughtry, who was suspended by the league for receiving her seventh technical of the season, is averaging 24 points since the Olympics. On the season, she is fourth in league in scoring (19.5 points per game). G Tiffany Hayes, who is averaging 14.9 points per game, scored 21 on Thursday.
Number: Atlanta is 8-0 this season when scoring 90 or more points.
Injury: Atlanta F Sancho Lyttle (foot), who did not suit up on Thursday, is questionable.
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Royce Lewis’ blazing start to his Twins career had him atop the ranking at the end of spring. But times have changed.