Game: Seattle Storm (2-7) vs. Minnesota Lynx (10-0) When: 6 p.m. Sunday Where: Key Arena Meeting: Third TV: None
Victims of a rugged early-season schedule, the Seattle Storm return home to face the undefeated Minnesota Lynx. Fresh off its most efficient game of the season, the Storm will try to ride any momentum from its 86-73 triumph over the winless Tulsa Shock Friday night when it takes on a team with the best start in WNBA history.The Lynx is led by Seimone Augustus, whose 17.6 points per game paces a Lynx offense that scores more than 85 points a contest. Minnesota is connecting on more than 50 percent of its field goal attempts while beating opponents by nearly 15 points a game. To avoid its third loss to Minnesota in as many games, Seattle will need to limit a Lynx club averaging more than 36 rebounds a contest, nearly seven more than the opposition.
To offset Minnesota’s frontcourt advantage, Seattle also must carry Friday’s hot shooting into Sunday. Sue Bird connected on 9-of-12 shots while Tina Thompson drained all four three-point attempts. When the teams met May 27, Seattle knocked down a season-best 14 three-pointers while tying the franchise record. In two previous meetings, the reigning WNBA champions dominated the Storm in the paint. However, Seattle isn’t alone.
The best team in the WNBA hasn’t lost since a first-round WNBA playoff game against the San Antonio Silver Stars.
Seattle Stats/Notes:
- After 14 treys in its first meeting with the Lynx, Seattle shot just 4-22 from beyond the arc in a 79-55 loss to the Lynx June 6 in Minnesota.
- Sue Bird returned to her 2010 form Friday night, connecting on her first nine shots in a 21-point performance.
- Shekinna Stricklen logged the best game of her WNBA career on Friday. The University of Tennessee product had 12 points despite going 0-5 from the three-point line. Stricklen is shooting just 34 percent on the season.
- Tanisha Wright dished seven assists Friday. Wright has played point guard primarily to give Bird more scoring chances.
- The Storm is 1-1 at home. After blowing a 21-point second-half lead and losing its season opener 72-66 to LA, Seattle beat the Shock 76-58 June 1.
Minnesota Stats/Notes:
- Maya Moore is averaging 14.1 points per game in her first year in the WNBA. The former standout at UConn is shooting 47 percent from the field.
- Closest the Lynx have come to a loss was a 79-77 victory over the Washington Mystics May 30.
- Four players average in double figures. Monica Wright is averaging 9.7 points per game coming off the bench.
Coaches: Brian Agler is in his fifth season in Seattle. Cheryl Reeve is in her third season coaching the Lynx.
Coming Up: The Storm continue the homestand with a game Friday against the San Antonio Silver Stars.
SEATTLE STORM 2012 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
| Date | Opponent | W/L | Score | Rec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/18/12 | vs. Los Angeles | L | 66-72 | 0-1 |
| 5/22/12 | at Los Angeles | L | 74-61 | 0-2 |
| 5/27/12 | at Minnesota | L | 84-71 | 0-3 |
| 6/1/12 | vs. Tulsa | W | 76-58 | 1-3 |
| 6/3/12 | at Los Angeles | L | 65-67 | 1-4 |
| 6/6/12 | at Minnesota | L | 55-79 | 1-5 |
| 6/9/12 | at San Antonio | L | 67-80 | 1-6 |
| 6/13/12 | at Chicago | L | 58-74 | 1-7 |
| 6/15/12 | at Tulsa | W | 86-73 | 2-7 |
| 6/17/12 | vs. Minnesota | — | — | — |
| 6/22/12 | vs. San Antonio | — | — | — |
| 6/24/12 | vs. Washington | — | — | — |
| 6/26/12 | at Washington | — | — | — |
| 6/30/12 | at New York | — | — | — |
| 7/1/12 | at Connecticut | — | — | — |
| 7/7/12 | at Los Angeles | — | — | — |
| 7/8/12 | vs. Phoenix | — | — | — |
| 7/11/12 | vs. Atlanta | — | — | — |
| 7/13/12 | at Phoenix | — | — | — |
| 8/16/12 | vs. Phoenix | — | — | — |
| 8/18/12 | vs. Los Angeles | — | — | — |
| 8/21/12 | vs. Minnesota | — | — | — |
| 8/23/12 | vs. Indiana | — | — | — |
| 8/26/12 | vs. New York | — | — | — |
| 8/30/12 | vs. Phoenix | — | — | — |
| 9/6/12 | vs. Tulsa | — | — | — |
| 9/8/12 | at Tulsa | — | — | — |
| 9/11/12 | at Atlanta | — | — | — |
| 9/12/12 | at Indiana | — | — | — |
| 9/14/12 | at San Antonio | — | — | — |
| 9/16/12 | vs. Connecticut | — | — | — |
| 9/18/12 | vs. Chicago | — | — | — |
| 9/21/12 | vs. San Antonio | — | — | — |
| 9/23/12 | at Phoenix | — | — | — |