Minnesota Heads to Seattle to Face Defending WNBA Champions
Published on June 9, 2011 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release
Thursday, June 9 at KeyArena
Lynx (2-1) vs. Storm (1-0) - Live Access/BOB 106
Regular-Season Game #4
- The Lynx and the defending WNBA champion Seattle Storm will tip off tonight from KeyArena at 9 p.m. CT. Tonight's game can be heard on the radio home of the Lynx, BOB 106.
- Although the Lynx dropped last year's season series between the two teams three games to one, the four games were decided by an average of 2.5 points per game. Minnesota held late leads in all three losses, with its win coming via a Nicky Anosike free throw with 5.5 seconds remaining that lifted the Lynx over the Storm, 72-71, at Target Center.
- Seattle comes into tonight's contest owners of a 22-game home winning streak. Its last loss at home came courtesy of the Los Angeles Sparks on Sept. 20, 2009 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. The Lynx have dropped their last 10 games at KeyArena.
- Tonight's game features a matchup of two of the elite point guards in the WNBA, in Seattle's Sue Bird and Minnesota's Lindsay Whalen. Over their careers, Whalen and Bird have faced one another 16 times, with Whalen's clubs winning nine, to Bird's seven. Over those 16 games, Whalen has averaged 13.4 points (47.2%; 60-of-75 FT - .80%), 4.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, compared to Bird's 10.1 points (39.0%), 2.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game.
- After totaling a franchise-record 12 double-doubles in 2010, Lynx All-Star forward Rebekkah Brunson has three in as many games to start the 2011 season. Her 14.0 rebounds per game rank first in the league. The 6-2 forward ranks 11th all-time in career double-doubles, with 41.
- Minnesota held the Sparks to 69 points and 37.1% shooting on Sunday, and followed up by limiting Tulsa to 65 points and 33.8% accuracy on Tuesday. It's the first time the Lynx have allowed fewer than 70 points in consecutive games since July 29-31, 2005. They've won 15 of their past 17 games when keeping the opposition below 70 points, and 19 of the last 23 when posting a sub-40% defensive effort.
- The Lynx outscored Tulsa 21-5 in fast break points on Tuesday, including 15-0 in the first half. Two nights earlier vs. L.A., Minnesota piled up an 18-2 edge in that category; they lead the WNBA by averaging 15.7 ppg on the break.
- Minnesota comes into tonight's contest at 2-1; it's the first time the Lynx have been over .500 since beginning the 2010 season 1-0. It took the Lynx seven games to win their second game last season (started 2-9).
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from June 9, 2011
- Phoenix Mercury Home Opener on Friday, June 17 - Phoenix Mercury
- Minnesota Heads to Seattle to Face Defending WNBA Champions - Minnesota Lynx
- Media Release - Holt to Miss Four-To-Six Weeks - Tulsa Shock
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