Minnesota heads to San Antonio with 1-0 lead

So after beating the San Antonio Silver Stars 66-65 in a thriller - at least in terms of missed opportunities down the stretch - the Minnesota Lynx head south for Game 2 on Sunday with a chance to finally win a playoff series.

Roman Augustoviz of the Star Tribune (link above) got a scouting report on the city from Mama Taj. But more importantly - with Lynx coach Reeve having won 2011 WNBA Coach of the Year - he got some insight on what makes her such a great coach.

8 months ago Nate Parham 8 comments 0 recs |

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I'm still fraught after what happened.

I can’t get over it yet.

I am very irritable right now. Sooooooooooooooooo angry.

The Stars were right…THERE…and they just ran the same boneheaded offense down the stretch…they couldn’t have asked for a more golden opportunity…and they completely wasted it.

It was Phoenix then, and it's Phoenix now. Storm, you know what you gotta do!

by WaveOcean on Sep 17, 2011 1:15 AM EDT reply actions

Storm vs. Fever?

The Lynx are looking more beatable the past 2 weeks, but I think they will get by the Silver Stars. If Nakia Sanford can play on Saturday, I think Phoenix just might pull out a win, but I think Seattle will win the series. Phoenix simply does not match up well with Seattle in a half court game, and they have been unable to run consistently. (I hate to admit that Phoenix is that weak, but Thursday’s game made me a believer). In a Minnesota – Seattle western final, I think the Storm have the edge with LJ back in the lineup, and their playoff experience.

In the East, I think Indiana will edge NY. I’m not a big Catchings fan, but that play she made on Pondexter was huge. Atlanta will close out Connecticut, assuming that Erika deSouza sticks around long enough. However, once she leaves to join the Brazilian team, I think Atlanta may not have enough to beat Indiana in the eastern finals.

Indiana would have the home court edge over Seattle in the finals, and that could be the difference. If Atlanta were to make it to the finals, and had deSouza back, then I think they would beat Seattle, even though the Storm would have home court. McCaughtry is on a mission.

by OVJ on Sep 17, 2011 2:38 AM EDT reply actions

How...are we expected...to beat...MINNESOTA?!!?

The only thing we might have on our side is experience…but the Lynx are going to gain more confidence as these playoffs progress.

It was Phoenix then, and it's Phoenix now. Storm, you know what you gotta do!

by WaveOcean on Sep 17, 2011 5:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Carolyn Peck's Prediction

Peck was asked at half-time of the first game Thursday night who she predicts will make the finals. Her answer was Seattle in the West and (I think) Connecticut in the East. She thinks Seattle can get by Minnesota. I’m not giving up on my Silver Stars yet. While I agree that SA gave the game away on some bonehead decisions in the last minute, I believe with a big home crowd on Sunday the Silver Stars can beat the Lynx. And they came oh so close to beating Minnesota at home.

by lkg on Sep 17, 2011 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, Connecticut's looking dead in the water

I’ll believe Atlanta’s not going to the finals when I see it. They have patented the art of stealing game 1 on the road.

It was Phoenix then, and it's Phoenix now. Storm, you know what you gotta do!

by WaveOcean on Sep 17, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Shanna Crossley

also picking Seattle.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Congrats to Lindsay Whalen for getting the game-winning steal for the Lynx in their 66-65 playoff opening win

by 91bigten on Sep 17, 2011 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

WaveOcean being too modest

Seattle probably has as good a top eight players as anybody, with backups Ashley Robinson at center, Katie Smith at 2 guard, and Coe Willingham to back up Cash and Little. They are all savvy players with good moves who know to milk the officials for foul calls, and just how aggressive they can be on defense. They also know how to foul without getting caught. That little hip bump that Smith gave Taurasi was classic.

The one thing that Seattle doesn’t have is the bench depth that they had last year. The key to beating them is push the pace and make them tired. Minnesota probably can’t match their top 8 players, but they do have a little more depth, and they have athletes that can make Seattle run. It’s going to depend on who can control the pace of the game.

by OVJ on Sep 17, 2011 6:40 PM EDT reply actions