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The Minnesota Lynx travel to Phoenix today and will attempt to finish off a sweep of the Mercury and advance to the WNBA Finals against the winner of the series between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream.
The Lynx are coming off a 23 point demolition of the Mercury in game one of the series, a game in which they outscored Phoenix 20-2 in fast break points, forced 19 turnovers, and dominated on the defensive end, while their three perimeter stars, Lindsay Whalen, Maya Moore, and Seimone Augustus combined for 58 points.
The Lynx have defeated the Mercury in all six meetings this year, and haven't lost to them since 2011. Overall they have won the last 13 meetings with Phoenix, and look to make it 14 today.
The Mercury will try to overcome that dominance and get over the mental hurdle Minnesota represents. They will look to feed off the energy of their home crowd to get off to a fast start and stay in the game. They will need better performances from Diana Taurasi (15 points on 4/14 shooting), and Candice Dupree (4 points, 1/6) if they are to have any hope of extending the series and forcing a game three back at Target Center.
The game tips at 4pm Central, and will be aired on ESPN2.
NOTES: The Atlanta Dream visit the Indiana Fever in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at 2:00pm Central, also on ESPN2. The Dream won game one at home, and look to get back to the WNBA Finals for the third time in four years.
The Lynx have really clamped down defensively in the post-season, allowing the fewest points, 2nd lowest FG%, forcing the most turnovers, and blocking the most shots of any playoff team.
Assistant Lynx coach and Wolves broadcaster Jim Petersen won a well deserved Midwest Emmy for his work as an analyst for the Wolves on Fox Sports North. Afterwords, he gave a shoutout to Canis Hoopus:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Thanks to my <a href="https://twitter.com/canishoopus">@canishoopus</a> family. You inspire me to do better...and helped me win a Midwest Emmy. Thanks you guys and gals.</p>— Jim Petersen (@JimPeteHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimPeteHoops/statuses/384150999763415041">September 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
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So that's pretty cool. Jim is the best, and we look forward to seeing him win this title with the Lynx and then getting behind the mic for the Wolves season.