Lynx-Silver Stars Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON
Posted Sep 22 2012 3:00PM

Before opening the playoffs, the defending champion Minnesota Lynx have a chance at a piece of WNBA history.

The Lynx will try to become the fourth team to win 28 games in a season when they visit the playoff-bound San Antonio Silver Stars on Sunday.

Minnesota (27-6) matched last year's franchise record for victories with an 89-66 win over Phoenix on Friday. Maya Moore led the way with 21 points and reserve Erin Thorn had a season-high 17.

"We want to go into the playoffs on a high note, carry that momentum and hopefully it will help us out," Thorn said.

The Lynx will try to do just that by joining the 2010 Seattle Storm and a pair of Los Angeles Sparks teams in the record books.

Seattle went 28-6 two years ago, while Los Angeles was 28-4 in 2000 and 2001.

Minnesota will attempt to match that win total with its 12th victory in 14 games against San Antonio (20-13), including the playoffs last year. However, it suffered both of those losses at the AT&T Center, dropping the middle game of its opening-round series 84-75 last Sept. 18 and losing 93-84 on July 1.

The Lynx, though, won 81-62 in their most recent visit Sept. 9 as Moore had 18 points, a career high-tying 12 rebounds and six assists.

"San Antonio is somebody we could see in the second round. We definitely want to go out there, play hard and play a good game," Thorn said.

While Minnesota will pursue a record-tying win, San Antonio will try to pull off a rare feat of its own. The Silver Stars have topped 20 victories once in franchise history, going 24-10 in 2008 en route to their only WNBA finals appearance.

San Antonio will also be trying to conclude an up-and-down season on a positive note. After a 4-5 start, the Silver Stars won a team-record 12 in a row then dropped six of seven, before winning three of their past five contests.

San Antonio, though, is coming off an 85-74 loss to Seattle on Friday. The Silver Stars couldn't get closer than four points after scoring 12 in the second quarter.

Reserve Danielle Adams had 16 points and matched a career high with 10 rebounds in the losing effort.

"I just felt like we were a play behind there in the first half, especially in the second quarter," coach Dan Hughes said. "Our players did a good job of coming out in the second half. They gave a great effort and better execution."

After Sunday's game, the Silver Stars head to Los Angeles for an opening-round series that begins Thursday. Minnesota faces Seattle starting Friday.

Adams helps Silver Stars beat Lynx, 99-84

Posted Sep 23 2012 6:45PM

SAN ANTONIO (AP) Danielle Adams scored 28 points, and the San Antonio Silver Stars closed the regular season with a 99-84 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday.

Tangela Smith added 15 points, Danielle Robinson had 14, and Shameka Christon scored 13 for playoff-bound San Antonio (21-13).

``We were just moving the ball well, playing like a team,'' Adams said. ``(We were) just getting good shots. We played our defense, and it was just a great team effort for the win.''

Seimone Augustus had 18 points, Monica Wright added 16, and Lindsay Whalen scored 14 for defending champion Minnesota (27-7). The Lynx, who have the WNBA's best record, missed an opportunity to match the best regular-season record in league history.

The Silver Stars set a season high for points in a game despite playing without Becky Hammon and Sophia Young, who didn't suit up to rest for the playoff series against Los Angeles.

``We wanted to give some minutes to some people, but we wanted the execution, too, because we ended the year with three playoff teams in a row,'' Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes said. ``We wanted them to get that feel of what we think it's going to be like against that caliber of team.''

San Antonio scored a season-high 60 points in the first half, shooting 53 percent (20 of 38) with only one turnover.

``We knew that with (Hammon and Young) down, we were going to have to come out with extra effort and extra energy,'' Robinson said. ``Everybody was going to have to contribute a little bit more.''

Smith's 3-pointer gave San Antonio a 73-50 lead with 6 minutes left, its largest lead of the game. Smith's second 3 gave San Antonio a 78-56 edge with 4 minutes left.

Wright's layup cut San Antonio's lead to 88-77, the closest Minnesota had been since it trailed 48-37 with 4 minutes left in the first half.

Shenise Johnson hit consecutive 3s to extend the Silver Stars' lead to 94-77 with 5 minutes left.

``It gives us a great boost,'' Smith said. ``It gives us great confidence. We have it in our mind that we play really well on the road, so that gives us confidence going into L.A. We've beaten them three times. We just have to keep that momentum in our head, because right now, it's anybody's championship.''

Adams had 13 points in the first half as San Antonio took control early.

``They spread you out so much,'' Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said. ``Danielle has some girth to her. It is just challenging down low.''

The Silver Stars' Sept. 29 playoff game against Los Angeles will be played at the Freeman Coliseum because of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' concert at the AT&T Center.

Minnesota will face Seattle in the first round.

``It was a tough game tonight,'' Augustus said. ``Definitely not the outcome we wanted, but it's an eye opener for us leading into the playoffs.''

• Lynx: --
• Silver Stars: --

• Lynx: --
• Silver Stars: --

• Lead Changes: 1
• Times Tied: 2

• Arena: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
• Officials: #39 Michael Price, #44 Felicia Grinter, #21 Byron Jarrett
• Attendance: 8084
• Duration: 1:48