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Griner, Mercury edge Lynx in showdown

Aug 10, 2014 - 4:38 AM Phoenix, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - A showdown between the WNBA's best two teams ended with a block.

But before that were the shots.

Diana Taurasi hit the go-ahead jumper to counter Maya Moore's game-tying shot, and the Phoenix Mercury held on for an 82-80 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday night.

Brittney Griner's dramatic block of Lindsay Whalen's reverse layup attempt at the buzzer sealed the outcome and ended Minnesota's 11-game winning streak one victory short of a franchise record.

The playoff-bound teams -- 26-4 Phoenix leads Minnesota by 2 1/2 games in the Western Conference -- played for the fourth time this season and the Mercury came away with their third win.

Taurasi had 24 points a day after signing an extension and Phoenix extended its franchise-best home winning streak to 14 games. Griner added 19 points and 11 rebounds and DeWanna Bonner scored 16.

Moore poured in 30 points, the last two on a tough runner in the lane with 7.7 left that she got to drop despite considerable contact near the foul line.

Taurasi's eventual winner came from the high left side with 2.4 seconds left.

The Lynx had already beaten the Mercury during their streak -- a victory on July 31 that snapped Phoenix's own 16-game win streak.