Lynx Move to 3-0, Playoffs Resume, Champions League Final

The Lynx held on for a 94-93 win in Tulsa over the Shock last night to move to 3-0 on the season. The pattern is set: the Lynx starters dominate early, then tire due to too many minutes, and the reserves aren't helping, allowing opponents to get back into games.

So far, the Lynx have manged to hold them off, but the injuries to Monica Wright, Rebekkah Brunson and Dev Peters have left them incredibly thin. Last night they played eight players and got 6 points from their bench. The Shock played 11 and got 27 from their reserves.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the Lynx are not a young team; they rely on veterans like Lindsay Whalen and Janel McCarville, and it very well might come back to bite them later in the season if they have to play too many minutes early.

Maya Moore is dominating. She's scored 30+ in all three games, including last night's career high 38, to go along with 13 boards.  She's gonna set some records this year, and has elevated herself now to a completely new level. She is the best player in the world, and I don't think it's particularly close.

The Lynx are back in action tonight at home against the New York Liberty. The game starts at 7:00 pm Central if you are looking for something to do tonight in Minneapolis.

The Champions League Final is today at 1:00 pm Central on Fox.  An all Madrid final between Atletico, the just crowned La Liga champs, and Real, the traditional power.  It's the last competitive soccer match until the World Cup commences.

Speaking of which, the World Cup commences in under three weeks.  Thursday, June 12th is the first match of the tournament, Brazil vs. Croatia. The U.S. gets underway the following Monday.

More immediately, the NBA playoffs resume tonight after a couple of days off:

Pacers at Heat
7:30 pm Central
ESPN

The Heat earned a split in Indiana with a monster fourth quarter of game two from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, which means the Pacers will need to find a way to win in Miami.  Paul George, who suffered a concussion in game two, has been cleared to play.  The Pacers will need to figure out a way to slow down the Heat stars, as they cannot win when the Heat shoot 50% from the field as they did in game two.

• Serge Ibaka seems to be recovering quickly from his calf injury, and is now being listed as day-to-day for the Thunder. Given the disastrous two losses they suffered in San Antonio, anything Ibaka can give them will be welcome.
• The Sterling maneuverings continue, as apparently Donald Sterling has agreed to have his wife sell the team, though whether she would try to retain any interest is unclear. The NBA is planning to move ahead with the termination hearing scheduled for June 3rd, and appears unlikely to permit any shenanigans. They want the entire team sold to an owner they approve without any retention of interest by anyone in the Sterling family.
• One interesting name as a potential buyer is Yao Ming, who is apparently putting together a group of Chinese investors to bid on the team. There is little question that he could raise the money necessary, and you have to think the NBA would be interested in having that investment. China is an immense market for the NBA, and having a team owned by Chinese investors and fronted by Yao would be huge for marketing.
• The Cavaliers are reportedly planning to interview Alvin Gentry and Vinnie del Negro for their head coaching position.
• No specifics on the planned Glen Taylor-Dave Joerger meeting, but hopefully we can get some resolution on this sometime next week.