What They're Saying: WNBA Finals Gets Underway


ESPN: Lynx Take Aim At History, Fourth WNBA Title

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“It’s out there, and we know it,” said Moore, whose Lynx host Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against Los Angeles on Sunday (ABC, 3 p.m. ET). “We use it as excitement. We have an opportunity, and it makes our appreciation of this even greater.”

AP: A Look At The WNBA Finals Matchup Between Lynx And Sparks

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“We’re kind of meeting our match, if you will,” Reeve said. “How we get things done is a little different. But both teams can score, both can defend. It’s going to be a fight.”

The Undefeated: Leader Of The Pack

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Maya Moore has the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals for the fifth time in six years. She helped lead the team to three straight appearances from 2011 to 2013 and is trying to help the team win a title in back-to-back years for the first time in franchise history…But she took some time out to chat about her likes and loves.

ESPN: Lynx-Sparks Matchup Exactly What We Hoped For

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The WNBA’s 20th anniversary season comes to an end with a Finals matchup featuring star power, intriguing storylines and two coaches with a lot of respect for each other’s ability to strategize and prepare their teams.

The Sparks aren’t just happy to have made the WNBA Finals, though. They know they can compete with Minnesota.

 

Women’s Hoops: Candace Parker Close to Making a Nine-Year Quest Into Glory Road

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It’s often said that the best things come to those who wait.

If that’s the case for Parker, who has waited her entire nine-year career for this opportunity, the next two weeks should provide riveting viewing.

Parker’s ebullient presence along with the angelic Maya Moore has the potential to make this matchup with the Lynx epic.

 

Star Tribune: Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve Says WNBA Finals Could Turn On Little Things

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“When we won, other people were excited because we were still undefeated,” Reeve said of a 72-69 victory on June 21 that gave the Lynx a WNBA record for most victories to start a season. “But we were excited because we won that game. We’re a little like that now.”

Reeve was named WNBA coach of the year last week, beating out the Sparks’ Brian Agler, a past winner. The Lynx have the current WNBA defensive player of the year in Sylvia Fowles, and the Sparks’ Jantel Lavender is the league’s reigning Sixth Woman of the Year.

 

WNBA.COM: Five Reasons Each Team Can Win The Title

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The regular-season series went to the Lynx by a 2-1 margin, but this has the makings of a classic series, with each team possessing a chance to win. If the No. 1 seed Lynx are the favorite, it won’t be by much, given the dominant performances both teams showed in the semifinal rounds.

Los Angeles led the WNBA in scoring defense during the regular season (75.9 ppg) and have been similarly strong during the playoffs (76.0 ppg).

The Lynx led the league in Defensive Rating in the regular season, surrendering 96.4 points per 100 possessions and holding opponents to 41.7 percent shooting.