WNBA Semi-Final Preview and Prediction:: Lynx vs Sun
The Sun and Lynx meet in the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Will it be a repeat of last year or will the Lynx get their revenge?
The Minnesota Lynx and Connecticut Sun finished the season separated by two games in the standings. Both teams entered the Olympic break with a record of 18-6, but the Lynx came out of the break a stronger team.
Connecticut Sun
The Sun were impressive in their first-round matchup with the Indiana Fever sweeping them in two games. Connecticut known for their team defense, held the Fever ten points below their season average of 85 points a game.
Marina Mabrey showed the nation why the Sun traded for her during the Olympic break.
22 points per game
4.5 assists per game
2.5 rebounds per game
39.5% shooting from the field
36.4% shooting from beyond the arc
Mabrey is a factor in my Connecticut vs Minnesota playoff prediction.
But it wasn’t only Mabrey who had a great series. Alyssa Thomas, aka AT, showed why she received MVP votes. AT averaged 15.5 PPG/ 7.5 RPG/ 13 APG while shooting 46% from the field.
AT and Mabrey must continue their hot play to make it to the WNBA Finals.
Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx are in search of their fifth WNBA Championship to go with this year’s Commisoner’s Cup Championship.
The Lynx quickly dispatched the Phoenix Mercury in the first round winning both games going away. Minnesota averaged 101.5 points a game in an impressive offensive display.
Napheesa Collier was a killer in the series! Collier, aka Queen Phee, scored a total of 80 points in the two games. Collier has had a great individual season winning a Gold Medal with Team USA, named the Commisoner’s Cup MVP, and the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Collier is a key to my Connecticut Sun vs Minnesota Lynx prediction.
The key to Minnesota’s success is its depth. All five starters averaged 10 points a game in their first-round series. This is a major factor in my Sun vs Lynx prediction.
Season Series
The Sun won the season series 2-1 but they were all close games. The largest margin of victory was five by the Sun on June 4th. The key to that victory for Connecticut was Collier leaving early with a foot injury.
For the gamblers in the room, the dog went 3-0 and the over went 2-1 between these two teams.
Prediction
This will be a fun series to watch and will be appointment television. My official prediction is for Minnesota to win the series 3-1.
Minnesota won the last matchup against the Sun on September 17th in Connecticut with the two seed on the line. Minnesota only won by two but led by as much as nine in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota is a more complete team and has a better Coach.
Coach Cheryl Reeve is seeking her fifth WNBA Championship and is the best coach in the W.
Coach Stephanie White is a great coach but not on Coach Reeve’s level.
