Game One of the second round saw the Connecticut Sun and the Minnesota Lynx do what I think many people thought they would; a not particularly high-scoring game with stifling defense on both sides and a relatively close game of runs. This time, it was Connecticut who took the game 73-70 with a strong fourth quarter. But this is how the Lynx and the Sun have played all year – close. They’ve yet to have a game with a double-digit lead in the final score.
Connecticut took the first half leading by only four points at the break. Minnesota came back in the third and grabbed a lead of 52-47, but then the Sun outscored the Lynx 16-8 in the fourth for the three-point win.
Marina Mabrey came away with 20 points for Connecticut and Napheesa Collier 19 for Minnesota. Both teams used only two bench players, who provided minimal points. Myisha Hines-Allen did grab 6 rebounds, but other than that, this was a game for the starters.
Minnesota And Connecticut Played A Similar Game
There was nothing terribly mysterious about the game. Each team shot the same percentage. Connecticut out-rebounded Minnesota by seven and accumulated eight more assists. Minnesota had an off-night shooting from three and also assisting, something they do very well, but the Sun defense wasn’t having it. There were also times when the Lynx looked less crisp than they have in recent games, something that has to improve in Game 2.
Connecticut gets into trouble when they get too emotional on the court. It is visible when the Sun gets angry with itself, and that doesn’t always have positive results. Minnesota plays a more even-tempered game, which does not mean that they don’t provide the explosiveness when needed. It is just more measured, and, I think, more productive.
The Sun did, however, score 16 points off of turnovers whereas Minnesota scored only eight. Each team had 13 turnovers, so Minnesota will have to take better care of the ball, and at the least not give away points from turnovers.
back on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/SNWeMxhylB
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 30, 2024
With such a tight game 1, the Lynx will have to get back to shooting and making more 3s, and protecting the ball to get the win in game 2. The Sun, who only shot 2-3 at the stripe, will have to find a way to force more shooting fouls. The Lynx went 11-13, so building on that and forcing Connecticut to commit more fouls will help.
The Lynx will not want to go to Connecticut down two games as much as Connecticut will want to take a two-game lead into Mohegan Sun Arena. I don’t expect to see a huge difference in game 2, just some careful adjustments. Connecticut knows that the Lynx will be coming for them as much as Minnesota knows that the Sun will try to ramp up what got them the first win. See you there Tuesday night to find out what happens.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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