Lynx 85 (11-4) - Sparks 72 (6-9)
MENZIE HENDERSON
Lynx Writer
Box ScoreHow it Happened
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The Lynx showed no signs of All-Star break rust by setting the tone quickly and gaining a sizable 20-8 first quarter lead to force an early Sparks timeout. The Lynx seized the momentum by doing what they do best�turning defense into offense.
With a gritty approach on the defensive end, the Lynx were able to cause deflections by getting into the passing lanes to force 25 turnovers that led to easy fast-break opportunities. With the ability to fill the lanes on the break with agile scorers who can knock down shots from inside and out, Minnesota has demonstrated to be the most dangerous in the open floor. The Lynx dictated the tempo of the game throughout the night, scoring 18 fast-break points to the Sparks� four.
�When they�re coming down on the break, you�ve got Whalen in the middle, you�ve got Maya Moore on one wing and you�ve got Seimone on the other. Who do you guard? That�s like D-Wade and Kobe Bryant coming down on the wing. Who�re you going to guard?� said the stymied Sparks head coach Joe �Jellybean� Bryant of the Lynx fast-break charge.
The Lynx held a 22-point advantage at one moment, and never trailed in the contest to earn their sixth win in seven games.
Leader of the Pack
Seimone Augustus led the balanced attack with 22 points on 10-of-17 from the floor. Augustus was able to knock down her patented mid-range jumper by coming off of solid screens set by her unselfish teammates. The Lynx relied on Augustus� scoring outburst in the second half to close out any hope of a Sparks comeback.
Notable Performance
The Lynx were able to gain an advantage in the post early by going to Taj McWilliams-Franklin who had her best outing of the season with 14 points and nine boards. The veteran center finished open looks after executing beautiful pick-and-roll sequences with point guard Lindsay Whalen.
The Numbers Game
The Lynx forced 25 turnovers and scored a franchise record 35 points off of the Sparks errant possessions.
Quotable
"We're having a lot of fun," Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve exclaimed after the win. "I think the biggest thing with this team is that we just have really good people and if you watch the way we play, I'm enjoying coaching them, they're enjoying playing, and we work hard. I think when you work hard, good things happen to you and they've embraced so much of what we're doing and you can tell that they really like each other. It's a genuine like for each other and a genuine chemistry."
Looking Ahead
The Lynx will have a couple days at the Life Time Fitness Practice Facility to game plan before taking on the Seattle Storm at home on Friday night.
For more news and notes on the team follow the Minnesota Lynx on Twitter.