Minnesota Lynx (0-1) vs Seattle Storm (1-0)
When: Thursday, Sept 24th at 9:30pm.
Where:ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida
TV: ESPN 2 / Radio: N/A
Injuries:
Seattle: None
Minnesota: Lexie Brown (Out/ Concussion), Sylvia Fowles (Out/ Calf)
Seattle :
88.0- points per game
86.0 - points against
44.3 - Field goal %
Minnesota:
86.0 - points per game
88.0 - points against
43.1 - field goal %
Individual Leaders: Sea/Min -
Breanna Stewart 21.0 / Napheesa Collier 25.0 - Points
Breanna Stewart 10.0 / Napheesa Collier 9.0 - Rebounds
Sue Bird 8.0 / Crystal Dangerfield 6.0 - Assists
Key Match-ups:
Breanna Stewart vs Napheesa Collier
Alysha Clark vs Crystal Dangerfield
Natasha Howard vs Damiris Dantas
Keep an eye on:
Crystal Dangerfield and Damiris Dantas: both have been the surprise spark for Minnesota's run through the regular season to this point in the playoffs. Neither had good games as the duo combined for 6 of 22 shooting from the field. Yet, the Lynx only lost by two. Both must step up to counter what will be a more sharp Seattle squad in game two and be more efficient shooting the ball.
Connecticut Sun (1-1) vs Las Vegas Aces (1-1)
When: Thursday, Sept 24th at 9:30pm.
Where:ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida
TV: ESPN 2 / Radio: N/A
Injuries:
Connecticut: Bria Holmes (Out/Knee), Alyssa Thomas (Right Shoulder/ Game Time Decision)
Las Vegas Aces: None
Connecticut :
81.0 - points per game
72.5 - points against
47.4 - Field goal %
Las Vegas:
72.5 - points per game
81.0 - points against
40.6 - field goal %
Individual Leaders: Con/LVA -
Jasmine Thomas 20.5 / A'ja Wilson 20.5 - Points
DeWanna Bonner 7.5 / A'ja Wilson 8.5 - Rebounds
Twi tied at 3.5 / Two Tied at 3.0- Assists
Key Match-ups:
Alyssa Thomas vs A'ja Wilson
DeWanna Bonner vs Angel McCoughtry
Jasmine Thomas vs Dearica Hamby
Keep an eye on:
Alyssa Thomas: Will she suit up or sit? The fact that she hasn't been ruled out for the playoffs and is fighting to play is a testament to her toughness and competitive spirit. Obviously her presence on the floor will boost the morale of the Sun tremendously. If she is able to play and bring anything to the table and stay healthy, that's more then enough for the Sun moving forward to be competitive if everyone else does their job.
Jasmine Thomas: be more aggressive. After her 31 point explosion in game one where she willed Connecticut to victory, Thomas only scored 10 points on 5-8 shooting in game two. With Alyssa Thomas battling through a severe shoulder surgery, the Sun can ill afford to have Jasmine keep bullets in the chamber. Expect a more aggressive Jasmine Thomas in game three.
