2:30 p.m., Staples Center
Where To Watch: NBA TV
Where To Listen: 106.1 BOB FM
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The 12-0 Minnesota Lynx will face-off against the 11-0 Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday afternoon.
The thrilling matchup will mark the first time in major professional sports history that two teams will meet while each team having 10 or more wins, no losses, and no ties.
In the 20th season of the WNBA, Minnesota and Los Angeles will make history on Tuesday and will give fans a preview of what very well could be the 2016 WNBA Finals matchup later this year.
Before taking in the action on NBA TV or 106.1 BOB FM, keep these important factoids in mind:
– One of many reasons why this matchup is so intriguing is due to it’s unpredictability. Minnesota ranks first in the league in points per game and comes in at second place in points allowed. The Sparks on the other hand are second in the WNBA in points per game and rank first in points allowed.
– One player who has really stepped up her play this season for Los Angeles is forward Nneka Ogwumike. The 25-year-old out of Stanford University is making a mind-boggling 70 percent of her shots while averaging 17.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
– A do-it-all player for the Lynx this year has been forward Maya Moore. The 27-year-old from the University of Connecticut is also putting up monster numbers this season, tallying 19.7 points, 5.3 boards and five assists, all the while shooting 49.6 percent from the field.
Coming Off Of…
The Sparks last played and won on June 17th against the veteran squad of the Phoenix Mercury, 77-71. A household name to WNBA fans, Candace Parker, had an outstanding game, putting up a game-high 24 points (10-for-17), 11 rebounds and dished out four assists.
Minnesota beat the Seattle Storm on Sunday, June 19th, in dominating fashion, 96-84. The Lynx got a lot of help from their bench, combining for 38 points, 12 boards and 13 assists. Moore had yet another brilliant all-around game, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in only 29 minutes of action.
Last Matchup:
These two powerhouse franchises last looked across the court at one another on Sept. 22nd, 2015 in the Western Conference semi-finals. Tied 1-1, game three was for all the marbles and, as you probably guessed it, the Lynx came out on top thanks to a total of 16 offensive rebounds and a combined 30 points, 11 boards and five assists between guards Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus.
Parker did her best to get the Sparks out of the first round of the playoffs by finishing with 28 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
Key Matchup: Maya Moore vs. Nneka Ogwumike
Two of the most complete players in the WNBA will face one another on Tuesday afternoon and it’s a battle that you will not want to miss. Although both teams have numerous game-changing players, the winner of this matchup could very well be the reason that their team walks out with the ‘W.’
Projected Starters:
MIN: G- Whalen, G- Augustus, F- Moore, F- Brunson, C- Fowles
LA: G- Beard, G- Toliver, F- Ogwumike, F- Carson, F- Parker