The Minnesota Lynx took care of business against Golden State and had to await the winner of the Liberty/Mercury. It was the Mercury who prevailed and they would be playing Game 1 against Minnesota on Sunday.
Everyone knows how tough Alyssa Thomas plays and she was an MVP Finalist for a reason. On the other hand the Minnesota Lynx have Napheesa Collier who was announced as the MVP runner up which ruffled a lot of feathers with the Minnesota fans.
The Phoenix Mercury came into Game 1 on a mission and it was very simple their game plan was to try and beat Minnesota inside the paint. The Lynx and Mercury went back and forth in that 1st half as the Mercury scored 42 points in the paint as Thomas was having her way with 16 points. The Lynx were getting beat inside and the transition baskets were hurting them as well in the 1st half. It seemed like every time the Lynx had a turnover or Phoenix got a deflection the Mercury made them pay for it.
In the 2nd half the Lynx came out a whole new group defensively and they made sure to get on the boards making it an emphasis. The Lynx Big 3 of Collier/McBride/Williams showed up big time the whole game as they finished with a combined 62 points. The key to the victory was limiting the points in the paint as they held them to 12 in that 2nd half.
When the Lynx Big 3 has it going it’s tough to stop them and Courtney Williams was leading the charge from the emotional standpoint. Williams was in her bag with the midrange and she was able to will her way to the basket with ease. Kayla McBride was able to hit some timely 3 pointers that the team needed throughout the game within building up the momentum. Napheesa didn’t have her best offensive game but tonight she showed up on the rebounds as well and she makes winning plays throughout.
The Lynx were getting beat up inside and Coach Reeve went to Maria Kliundikova to get some rebounds in the paint in big moments. You have to give her credit for being ready when her number was called. Rebounds are huge when it comes to trying to close out a team like the Phoenix Mercury. Game 2 will be on Tuesday and the Lynx will look to mimic this game plan from the 2nd half as they look to try and advance to the Finals.
Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
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