Final - OT
Mystics-Lynx Preview
Jul 6, 2009 - 5:56 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior WriterWashington (5-4) at Minnesota (7-4), 8:00 p.m. EDT
Strong play against the Eastern Conference has helped the Minnesota Lynx become one of the season's surprise teams. Two easy wins over the Washington Mystics last year weren't enough to help them make the postseason.
In a matchup of unlikely early contenders, the Lynx look to remain undefeated versus the East and win their third straight against the Mystics on Tuesday night.
Minnesota (7-4) is one-half game behind Phoenix in the West, and Washington (5-4) is tied for third in the East. Neither team made the playoffs last year, when the Lynx finished in a last-place tie while Washington placed sixth.
Minnesota struggled despite averaging 94.0 points in two wins versus Washington, including a 26-point victory last Sept. 14. It was the Lynx's largest-ever margin of victory against the Mystics.
Though Seimone Augustus is out for the rest of this season due to a torn left ACL, Minnesota has persevered thanks in no small part to a 4-0 record against the East. The Lynx had won three straight - including two against East opponents - before losing 74-68 at home to Sacramento on Thursday night.
That defeat dropped Minnesota out of first place.
"We've just got to stay focused, keep a positive mindset and try to get the win against Washington," Lynx guard Roneeka Hodges told the team's official Web site.
Minnesota continued its poor free-throw shooting at home, going 13 for 21 (61.9 percent). The Lynx are 4-2 at Target Center despite shooting below 65 percent from line in four of those contests.
Roneeka Hodges scored 15 points to lead five Minnesota players in double figures. Candice Wiggins, who is averaging 14.6 points, was held to 10 while shooting 3 for 11 from the floor.
Alana Beard's 16 points weren't enough to help Washington avoid a 72-65 loss at Atlanta on Friday night. The Mystics have been held below 70 points in two of their last three games, and have dropped three of four following a strong start.
Washington coach Julie Plank was particularly upset with her team's defensive performance against the Dream, and held her team in the locker room longer than expected after the game.
"When you are down, you have to be more aggressive defensively," Plank said. "We have a team that wants to keep fighting and has a lot of pride."
Beard had another productive all-around game for the Mystics, adding three steals and three assists. The veteran, averaging 18.9 points on the season, averaged 22.0 against the Lynx in 2008.
Washington's Marissa Coleman may not get her first chance to face Minnesota. The rookie forward, averaging 12.7 points, has missed eight straight games with a sprained left ankle. Her status remains uncertain.
- WNBA
WASHINGTON 94
MINNESOTA 95 FINAL IN 1ST OT
Jul 7 10:48 PM - 125
roots - WNBA
WASHINGTON 24
MINNESOTA 20 END, 1ST QTR
Jul 7 8:30 PM
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