Todd Barin
Web Editorial Associate
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The Lynx will take on the Phoenix Mercury tomorrow night for the third time in eight games and the home team was back at practice on Monday morning perfecting their craft.
After starting the season 0-4, the Mercury have won two out of their last three games and will be looking to prevent the Lynx from completing the season sweep on Tuesday night.
“That’s how we’ve felt each game that we’ve played and certainly against Phoenix,” Lynx’ head coach Cheryl Reeve said of if Phoenix will come at them with a little extra intensity. “This is the third time we’ve played them now in just eight games for us, it’s always a spirited game and heightened for both teams. I think the desperation runs both ways which is good.”
Undefeated on the season, Minnesota has really locked down defensively as of late and has held their opponents to under 75 points in each of the last three games.
“Defensively we’re kind of a different team than what we’ve been in that we force more turnovers than we have in the past, so we have an aggressive group, which we’ve really enjoyed,” Reeve said. “Phoenix is a really good offensive team, like really good, their numbers are very impressive, so we’re going to have to be on point in our coverage, and I think for us our ball pressure, deflections, and I think just our commitment to helping each other has been exceptional.”
One player on the Mercury who makes them such a threat on both ends of the floor is their 6’8 center Brittney Griner. On the season, the fourth year star is averaging 13.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and two blocks per matchup.
“I like anybody that is going to make me work, think and make me go out there and do what’s best for my team, so I look forward to games like this,” Lynx’ center Sylvia Fowles said. “It for sure pushes you, and you’re either going to show out or get shown up, and I don’t want to get shown up, so you have to play at your best every time when you play against somebody like Brittney.”
Minnesota has played well against Phoenix in both regular season games so far this season and will look to continue performing well on Tuesday night. It will be the last time the Lynx see the Mercury during the regular season, but Minnesota knows that it’s a long season and a lot can happen.
“Yes, I am happy we got them out of the way, but then again who knows, we might see them again down the road in the playoffs,” Fowles said.
The Lynx and Mercury tip-off on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. Be sure to take in the action of Fox Sports North Plus or 106.1 BOB FM radio.