Lynx Cruise to 9th Straight Victory

Sunday the Dallas Wings played the Minnesota Lynx as well as any team has in weeks. While the Lynx led comfortably for most of the afternoon behind Sylvia Fowles' season-high 30 point game, Dallas has now given the Lynx trouble in two straight matchups. The Wings can do a couple of things that illustrate a few weaknesses that this Lynx team has.

The first is dealing with ball pressure. The Wings picked up the Lynx guards full-court. Minnesota was able to get some semi-transition or early post up action because of this from time to time, but overall the Dallas pressure worked well for the Wings. The Lynx will live with 13 turnovers on the game, but 11 of those turnovers were steals which the Wings cashed in for 18 points.

Minnesota has the best defensive rating in the league. Anchored by an athletic and experienced front court, their half court defense is air tight. However, dynamic speedy guards can give the Lynx defense issues at the point of attack. Diggins-Smith, Christmas-Kelly and Gray were each able find openings to the rim, racking up layups and free throw attempts, especially in the first half.

Despite all of this, Minnesota is simply playing too well to lose right now. Even to a team that is a relatively bad matchup for them like Dallas. The Wings can pressure the ball full court and force turnovers, but they still have the 2nd worst defensive rating the WNBA. With 30 assists on 38 made baskets, the Lynx offense made it look easy against the Wings. Fowles split double teams, accepted lobs over fronting defenders and feasted in the paint Sunday night. Overall the Lynx shot above 50% from the field for the third straight game. The offense is really impressive right now. Opposing teams are going to have to get creative with ways to slow down this Minnesota machine.

Notes:

-The Dallas Wings are better than their 4-6 record suggests. Skyler Diggins-Smith is super fun to watch on both ends of the court, and the team is just scrappy. Watch them if you can.

-It was Maya Moore's 28th birthday on Sunday. Her 23 points are the most she's ever scored on June 11th.

-Dallas picked Allisha Gray 4th overall in the 2017 WNBA draft. She's a fantastic all around player with an awesome slashing game. If the season ended today she'd be the rookie of the year.

-There are lots of great names in the WNBA. The Wings Karima Christmas-Kelly is one of my favorites.

Next Up:

Lynx return Saturday to Xcel Energy Center for their first home game in 20 days. They will face off against the Connecticut Sun whom the Lynx have already beaten twice this season.