Lynx-Los Angeles game preview
July 5, 2018 at 4:27AM
Rivalry with Sparks rekindled
Preview: Both teams are coming off home losses Tuesday. The Lynx had their seven-game winning streak halted by last-place Indiana, 71-59, a game in which the Lynx posted their lowest point total at home since 2010. The Sparks lost a one-point game to Connecticut. The Sparks fell behind 41-25 at halftime. They outscored the Sun 47-32 in the second half but came up just short. The Lynx have lost both games vs. Los Angeles — their foe in the past two league finals — this season. That includes a last-second 77-76 victory over the Lynx at Target Center opening night and a 77-69 victory July 3 in Los Angeles.
Players to watch: Maya Moore is coming off a 3-for-15 outing vs. Indiana, a game that came after a seven-game stretch of scoring at least 20 points per game. C Sylvia Fowles failed to reach double figures in either scoring or rebounding for the first time this season Tuesday. Sparks G Chelsea Gray has scored 33 points with 14 assists in two victories over the Lynx this season. F Nneka Ogwumike has averaged 15.5 points and shot 52 percent vs. the Lynx this season. F Candace Parker didn't play the first time the teams met, but she scored 19 points the next time.
Numbers: The Sparks have won the past four regular-season meetings between the two teams. The Lynx need to win this to keep possible a season series split, a key tie-breaker in playoff seeding.
Injuries: Lynx G Danielle Robinson (hamstring) is probable. The Sparks report no injuries.
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.
