Gameday preview: NY Liberty at Lynx
June 16, 2018 at 3:38AM
Lynx to try to get back on track
Preview: After losing five of six games, the Lynx have had nearly a week off, time spent traveling back from Connecticut (one day), resting (two days) and engaging in what coach Cheryl Reeve called a "mini training camp'' (three days). Reeve pledged a return to the basics for a team she said appears to be lacking the focus of seasons past. We'll see how effective those three days of workouts were. This is the first of consecutive home games for the Lynx, who are 1-2 at home this season. The Liberty has won two of its three games against winless Indiana. This is just the third road game of the season for the Liberty. The Lynx won 78-72 at New York on May 25, needing a 23-13 fourth quarter.
Players to watch: Lynx G Seimone Augustus scored a season-high 21 points in that victory over the Liberty on May 25. F Maya Moore had 20. Moore's 41.6 percent shooting and 1.7 assists per game are career lows. C Sylvia Fowles has had consecutive games with 20 or more points and 12 or more rebounds. Liberty C Tina Charles is averaging 21.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. G Kia Nurse is fourth among rookies in scoring (13.1).
Numbers: Two of six Lynx losses this year have come on opponent shots with less than 3 seconds left; from 2011 through last season the Lynx had lost just once that way in a regular-season game. The Lynx outrebound opponents by 6.1 rebounds per game, second best in the league. But they've been outrebounded three times this season, losing all three games.
Injuries: Augustus (hamstring) is questionable. Liberty G Sugar Rodgers (eye) is probable.
kent youngblood
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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.
