Gameday preview: Lynx vs. Atlanta
June 29, 2018 at 1:33AM
Lynx pursue sixth win in row
Preview: The Lynx (8-6), the hottest team in the WNBA, have a five-game winning streak. The Lynx, statistically, have made a complete U-turn during the winning streak, ranking second in offensive rating (107.9), first in defensive rating (93.1) and first in net rating (plus-14.8). The Lynx have averaged 87.6 points and 75.6 points allowed in the past five games after posting numbers of 77.7 and 80.4 in the first nine. Atlanta (7-7) has lost three of four games. But the Dream beat the Lynx 76-74 in Atlanta on May 29, the second loss in Minnesota's four-game losing streak. Angel McCoughtry sank a game-winning three-pointer with 1.5 seconds left in that game.
Players to watch: Lynx F Maya Moore is coming off her first 30-point game since July of 2016. C Sylvia Fowles is coming off a 28-point, 17-rebound game vs. Seattle. Fowles currently leads the WNBA in both rebounding (12.3) and steals (1.8). The only player in league history to accomplish this over an entire season was Yolanda Griffith in 1999 for Sacramento.
Numbers: Minnesota is 6-1 when scoring 80 points and 5-1 when holding opponents under 45 percent shooting. Minnesota had won nine in a row vs. Atlanta before the loss a month ago. The Lynx have won nine consecutive vs. Atlanta at home. No Lynx opponent has shot better than 46.7 percent in the past five games, and the Lynx have won the rebounding margin in four of those games.
Injuries: None for the Lynx. Atlanta G Tiffany Hayes (ankle), who has missed the past three games, is questionable.
Kent Youngblood
about the writer
The Minnesota Star Tribune Sportsperson of the Year won Olympic gold, led the Lynx to the WNBA Finals and is starting a new women’s basketball league.
