NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



 Minnesota Lynx

WNBA Finals Quotes - Sparks & Lynx Practice 5

October 19, 2016 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release


Minnesota Lynx

Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota Lynx

Q: Is this game going to be decided on Lynx defense?

Reeve: I hope so since it's such a big part of our identity. I think that it has to be a big part of the game for us to be successful. Hopefully we can get that done.

Q: Is team defense the major key to tomorrow's matchup?

Reeve: Yeah. We were fortunate to get through it. I thought Natasha's minutes were solid. Then Maya gave us a different dimension that they hadn't really had to prepare for before. But she was adequate for sure, post defense. I think given the same situation, you might see them approach it a little bit differently. But given that particular game that we have not been in that situation before, I thought we handled it as well as we could.

Q: How have you immobilized Candace Parker?

Reeve: I think both teams are really good defensively. Both teams are really good at taking one another's top options. You're going to have to find other ways to manufacture other opportunities, and that's what we saw Maya do really well in that game. I don't coach Parker, so I don't really know. I mean, I've watched her system, and we're playing against her system, but I don't really know what's being asked of her. For us, we just try to make sure Parker or anybody else that we make life difficult for them.

Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx

Q: How have you been preparing for Game 5?

Moore: We've rested. I did little things here and there to get my body ready. We had a good practice today.

Q: Is it fitting this series goes five games?

Moore: You definitely couldn't ask for more. It's been a dramatic series. One that will definitely go down as one of the best. It's been really fun and hard. To have a chance to end it here on our home court, that's all we could really ask for. We worked hard all season to put ourselves in this position. We want to put everything we have into Game 5.

Q: Did you learn anything about your team in Game 4?

Moore: Whenever we can play with that much energy and are locked in on defense, we give ourselves a great chance to win the game. We still have areas we want to clean up, but people made big plays on both sides of the ball. That resiliency is something is fun to be a part of. When everybody takes their moment to do what they need to do for the team, it's really fun and rewarding. We feel like we are moving forward as a group.

Q: What are you exciting from tomorrow's crowd?

Moore: It's going to be an electric atmosphere and we are so excited to play. The last home game we had was awesome. I'm expecting everyone to give everything we had just like we will. With the combination of our fans and we doing what we need to on the court, that'll create some special memories tomorrow.

Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx

Q: How have you been preparing for Game 5?

Augustus: We're trying to stay focused. Someone told me we were up 10 in Game 4 and we didn't even know that. That's how locked in we are. It's going to be a game of runs. People are going to hit amazing shots and do amazing things. No matter what if we stay connected, it's going to be tough for any team to beat us.

Q: Is it fitting this series goes five games?

Augustus: We needed this. With the new playoff format, we didn't know how it was going to pan out, but it panned out well. The league has the two best teams playing each for a championship. This is what we've all been waiting for. It's been great basketball from Game 1 to Game 4. We just expect the same in Game 5.

Q: How good is this team in winner-take-all games?

Augustus: We're probably one of the best. We've learned a lot from 2012. Obviously, we're able to lock in on what we need to do. Whatever we've been able to face the last few years, we've been able to get over it. I feel like this is another case we did what we needed to do. We are back home. It's time to take care of business. We understand what that means. We always say no one player has to do more than what is needed on this team. That's what is so special about this team.

Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx

Q: How does it feel to be back on your home practice court and what did you all focus on today?

Fowles: It feels good to be back. Just to get our guys (practice players) back for another day. Our main focus was just retouching on everything LA does, some of the things that they ran over time and the possibility that they could go back to. Mostly though we're focusing on going out there and taking care of business, handling pressure, not turning the ball over and we want to get people in the best spot.

Q: Do you think Game 5 is going to go down to the wire?

Fowles: Tomorrow is going to be very gritty. Nothing is going to come easy. You just have to be focused on what you're out there doing and making sure we don't make as many mistakes. Just doing what we do well, and that is just play and have fun.

Q: Do you feel like Target Center at its loudest and the home court is going to make a difference in Game 5?

Fowles: I'm looking forward to it. We hear a lot of talk about it, but it's one thing to hear it and to witness it. I thought last year was pretty extreme, but I heard that it's supposed to be ten times that. We'll see tomorrow.

Rebekkah Brunson, Minnesota Lynx

Q: What are some of the keys to pulling out a Game 5 victory at home?

Brunson: At this point, we know each other, what the other team will do, so we have to be determined and play defense the way we want to. We have to take care of the ball, be aggressive and try and make the least amount of mistakes.

Q: Will you and Sylvia [Fowles] continue to be aggressive on the offensive glass?

Brunson: Absolutely, I feel like we can get better rebounding. Last game our guards came inside and lifted us up. They were crashing the boards, so I still feel like we can elevate in that area.

Q: What impact, if at all, will winning a Game 5 in the Finals last year, have on your team?

Brunson: Nothing, we can't take that game with us. That game is over with and it has zero impact on what we're trying to do tomorrow night. If anything we know what it takes. We know how hard we have to play and it's not going to be easy. We have to go out there compete and win.

Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota Lynx

Q: What are some of the keys to pulling out a Game 5 victory at home?

Whalen: It will be a hard-fought game; it's been that way the whole series. We will have to come out hard, fight and play with a lot of energy.

Q: What impact, if at all, will winning a Game 5 in the Finals last year, have on your team?

Whalen: We've played in a Game 5 so we know what it feels like but it's a new season and we have to be ready to go tomorrow night. That's all that we're focused on right now.


• Discuss this story on the Women's National Basketball Association message board...

Women's National Basketball Association Stories from October 19, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central