Timberwolves’ Sisters: Lynx Closeout Strong – Weathering The Storm

In a possible preview of the first round (Western Conference Semi-Finals) in the WNBA Playoffs, the Minnesota Lynx took care of business on the road at the Key Arena in Seattle against the Storm. Playing against their 2012 USA Women’s Olympic basketball teammate, Seattle’s Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus combined for 42 points with Augustus leading the charge with 22.

The game was pretty much kept at the Lynx’ hands for most of it as the Lynx only allowed the Storm to have a 2 point lead at the most. Seattle’s last lead was at the 7:30 mark as the Lynx never let go of the lead since that time and would go on for the victory.

In the first quarter, the Lynx looked poised to take a commanding lead up 18-10 as they were on a 7-0 run but the Storm retaliated and closed out the 1st quarter with a Sue Bird three pointer with six tenths of a second to play in the quarter. With that the Lynx headed into the second quarter with a 24-22 lead.Not yet comfortable you may say.

As the second quarter turned around the game quickly turned in full favor of Minnesota as they slowly built a double digit lead midway through the quarter. Both teams would then begin start trading buckets as the lead bounced from 11 to 9 for quite sometime in the quarter. The Lynx this time however would close out the quarter with a three pointer of their own from second year forward Maya Moore who gave the Lynx a 9 point lead heading into the break.

In the third quarter, Lynx guard Monica Wright caught fire coming off the bench for Minnesota as she gave her team a 17 point advantage after knocking down two consecutive three pointers. However, Seattle responded right back with an 8-0 run to bring back the lead to within striking distance and would end up closing out the third strong and cutting the 9 point halftime lead to 7.

When the fourth quarter came around, it became somewhat obvious on who on the Lynx would step up in play. After the Storm started the final quarter with a field goal, Olympic gold medalists Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus took matters into their own hands. On this night, however, the two All-Stars would get some help as well from a different source, not the other Lynx Olympic gold medalist, but forward Rebekkah Brunson. Moore would make back-to-back treys, Augustus would knock down jump shots, and Brunson would just score. The three players would end up to be the only three to score for the Lynx in the quarter but the team held serve defensively as they held the Storm to just 11 points in the quarter as the Lynx broke away with a 20 point lead in the quarter.

The Lynx would end up winning by 86-73 increasing their winning streak to 5 and their #1 WNBA record to 18-4. The San Antonio Silver Stars, the second best team in the Western Conference is just one game behind the Lynx and are currently on a 12 game winning streak.

Tonight, Seimone Augustus led the charge with 22 points. Maya Moore and Rebekkah Brunson each had 20 points while Moore finished with 8 rebounds and 7 assists and Brunson had 14 boards for a double double. Off the bench, Monica Wright contributed with 15 points and point guard Lindsay Whalen had just 5 points but 9 assists. The Lynx shot 57.9% from distance (11 of 19) and 50.0% from the field (35 of 70). They also out rebounded the Storm 39 to 25.

For the Storm, 5-year forward Camille Little led the way with her 20 points and 5 boards. Point guard Sue Bird would have 17 points at the end of the game.

 The Minnesota Lynx will be on the road once again, this time taking on the Atlanta Dream, currently sitting as the 3rd in the Eastern Conference, on Friday at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2.