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Lynx 85, Dream 74: Moore in Groove

Maya Moore kept rolling with 24 points tonight as the Lynx win their sixth in a row.

By Eric in Madison
WNBA Finals - Game Five Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

After a sloppy first half that featured 12 turnovers, the Lynx tightening things up after the break and took control of their game at Target Center against the Atlanta Dream, eventually cruising to a 85-74 win. It was their sixth in a row and moved them to 9-6 overall as they continue to remind us that they remain one of the toughest squads in the league.

The offense really came to life in the second half, with outstanding ball movement leading to excellent shots. It helps when Maya Moore is in the kind of groove she was tonight and has been for the past few games. She poured in 24 points on 9-15 from the field, and made four threes along the way. Two of them came early in the fourth quarter, pushing the Lynx lead to 21 and absolutely burying the Dream. It was pretty much garbage time after that.

Moore has re-emerged as an MVP level performer helping the Lynx right the ship after their (and her) slow start. She’s now up to fifth in the league in scoring at 20 per night, and her willingness to assert herself, which was surprisingly absent early in the season, has returned along with her shot-making. They need her to dominate more than ever as some of the other stars see their minutes reduced and their production decline.

Through much of this winning streak, the Lynx have been getting off to great starts and controlling games early. Not so much in this one, with their mistakes costing them throughout much of the first half. However, some timely shooting from Moore and Ceci Zandalasini helped keep them in it, and they controlled the glass throughout. They found their rhythm and finished with an excellent 25 assists on 33 field goals.

Let’s finish with some notes:

  • Good to see Seimone Augustus back in double figures tonight (10 points, 5-7 shooting). She’s been quiet recently.
  • Renee Montgomery’s return to Target Center was not auspicious for her. Two points on zero made field goals and a -16 on the night. I’m a huge Montgomery fan, but glad to see her struggle tonight.
  • Another ex-Lynx was on the floor for the Dream: Damiris Dantas. She had a big night off the bench, scoring 14 in 18 minutes.
  • Next up a trip to Dallas to face the Wings on Sunday afternoon.