Lynx-Shock Preview

By MATT BECKER
Posted Jul 09 2012 8:54PM

Still seeking their first win since the calendar flipped to July, the Minnesota Lynx's schedule appears to be getting easier with a home-and-home series against the league-worst Tulsa Shock.

They have to play both games, however, without forward Rebekkah Brunson.

The Western Conference-leading Lynx try to avoid losing their fourth in a row and continue their dominance over the Shock on Tuesday.

After opening the season with a league-record 10 consecutive victories and closing June with a 13-1 record, Minnesota (13-4) was unable to navigate through a difficult portion of the schedule, falling to San Antonio, Los Angeles and Connecticut.

"We have to keep working hard," guard Lindsay Whalen told the Lynx's official website after Saturday's 86-80 loss to the East-leading Sun. "It's a tough stretch for us right now. We'll get through it together."

Maya Moore had a team-high 19 points while Taj McWilliams-Franklin had 15 for the Lynx, who have lost three straight for the first time since a five-game skid in July 2010.

"I think the next two games are going to set the tempo going into the Olympic break," said Seimone Augustus, who averages a team-best 16.5 points.

Facing the Shock (3-13) might be just what they need.

Minnesota averages a league-best 85.4 points, while Tulsa has the league's second-worst defense, allowing 82.3 points. The Lynx have outscored the Shock by an average of 16.3 points in winning the last seven games since a 92-79 loss June 4, 2010.

In the lone meeting this season June 9, Moore had a season-high 26 points and Monica Wright scored 18 in a 93-73 victory, Minnesota's record-tying ninth straight.

Brunson had 15 points and six rebounds in that game, but she won't be available in the next two because of a left calf strain. She is third on the Lynx in scoring with an average of 11.1 points and ranks fourth in the league in rebounding at 8.5 per game.

The injury means Minnesota is going to be thin in the frontcourt with center Jess Adair (right knee) and forward Devereaux Peters (broken left hand) already sidelined. Despite having to use a smaller lineup, the Lynx still might be fine on the glass against a Tulsa team that ranks last in league in rebounding at 30.4 per game.

The Shock are coming off Sunday's 78-62 win over East-worst Washington to match last season's win total.

Ivory Latta had 18 points and Tulsa finally came up with a strong defensive showing, limiting the Mystics to 20.0 percent from 3-point range and forcing 19 turnovers.

"That's the effort we need every night to give ourselves a chance to win," coach Gary Kloppenburg said.

Wiggins, Moore help Lynx roll past Shock, 107-86

Posted Jul 10 2012 6:29PM

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Candice Wiggins scored 25 points, Maya Moore had 24 and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Tulsa Shock 107-86 on Tuesday.

Seimone Augustus added 17 points, Lindsay Whalen had 14 and Taj McWilliams-Franklin 12 for the Lynx (13-4), who finished with a season-high scoring total.

Moore, playing power forward for the first time in place of the injured Rebekkah Brunson, shot 8 for 12 from the field and 6 for 6 from the free-throw line.

``Maya was tremendous playing the 4 position for the first time,'' Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said. ``She was really poised and made plays for us.''

The Lynx shot a WNBA-record 69.5 percent from the field (41 of 59), topping the previous mark of 65.4 percent by Los Angeles on June 15, 2005.

``Minnesota is really good,'' Tulsa coach Gary Kloppenburg said. ``The second half we tried to get up, really fight them and they hit some difficult shots. It is tough when teams are making tough shots like that. That type of percentage is going to be difficult to overcome for anybody.''

Wiggins also shot 8 for 12, including 6 for 9 on 3-pointers.

The Lynx led by five at halftime and stretched the advantage to 10 midway through the third quarter. However, Tulsa pulled within one in the opening minute of the fourth before Wiggins scored eight points during Minnesota's 18-2 run to pull away for good.

``They shot the ball very well,'' Tulsa's Ivory Latta said. ``They really executed their offense down the stretch. We had some `fall aparts' in our defense, which we can't let happen on a team like that. We've got to get ready and regroup.''

Latta scored 25 points on 10-for-14 shooting, including 5 for 8 on 3s, to lead the Shock (3-13). Kayla Pedersen added 12 points and Glory Johnson had 11.

``It was a really hard game,'' Reeve said. ``Latta ended up dropping 25 points on us and she was really hard to guard. We know that when we play Tulsa it is going to be a really hard game and you have to stay the course. ... We had a couple turnovers and (Tulsa) got their wheels rolling. Anytime there was an open 3 they knocked it down.''

Tulsa jumped out to an early lead but the Lynx rallied in the second quarter to take a 51-46 lead at the break. Minnesota increased the margin to 10 points in the third before the Shock pulled to 76-75 in the opening minute of the fourth.

The Lynx then had their big run.

``We played them tough for three quarters,'' Kloppenburg said. ``That last quarter we had, they did a pretty good job of getting us pressure and setting us up in the back court. We had difficulty getting into our offense and scoring. Wiggins really stepped up big hit some big 3s in the quarter.''

The same two teams will meet against Thursday at Minnesota before the league begins a monthlong break for the Olympics.

``It is a big game for us going into the break,'' Whalen said. ``We need to come out again and be ready to go. It will be another tough matchup because we just played today. We have to go out and have energy and be ready to go.''

• Lynx: --
• Shock: --

• Lynx: Wiggins
• Shock: Johnson

• Lead Changes: 9
• Times Tied: 4

• Arena: BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
• Officials: #45 Tom Mauer, #55 Eric Brewton, #28 Angellica Suffren
• Attendance: 6012
• Duration: 1:56