Alexander Shun

Web Editor Associate | @alexpshun 

Minnesota Lynx (17-6) at Atlanta Dream (8-14) | 6:30 P.M. CT

WHERE TO WATCH: NBATV, Fox Sports North Plus

WHERE TO LISTEN: 106.1 BOB FM

The Minnesota Lynx have clinched a spot in the 2015 WNBA Playoffs. They can relax now, right? Wrong.

“That’s just the first step,” said Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. “We’re trying to be a well-oiled machine.”

If their recent home-stand is any indication, the Lynx are becoming just that.

After knocking off the red-hot Los Angeles Sparks and ending the Sparks’ four-game winning winning streak, they used a furious third quarter comeback to knock off the San Antonio Stars and clinch their fifth-consecutive playoff birth. What’s scary is that Minnesota could get even better.

The Lynx could be getting the help of all-star guard Seimone Augustus back after missing the last 10 games due to a right knee injury. Before the injury, Augustus was averaging 15.4 points per game, good for second-best on the team. The silver-lining to Augustus’s injury has been the playing time that newer players like Anna Cruz and Renee Montgomery, as well as bench players like Tricia Liston and Devereaux Peters, have received.

“I think for those players – Tricia’s just in her second year and Renee just joined us – just understanding how we do things, because without Seimone out, they’re probably not going to get those experiences,” said Reeve. “So what you hope is with foul trouble or if one of those key players isn’t playing well and you need to have somebody come in and give you a lift, they have felt it.”

Augustus will be a game-time decision but, should she play, will be a difference-maker on a Lynx roster already loaded with depth and, because of Augustus’s injury, experience.

The Atlanta Dream is a young team that could definitely use more experience.

Currently stuck in last place in the Eastern Conference and holding the fourth-worst record in the league, the Dream can probably begin looking ahead to next season.

Dream guard and four-time all-star Angel McCoughtry has been spectacular for Atlanta this season. McCoughtry sits third in the league in scoring, averaging 19.7 points per game while adding almost six rebounds and three assists. The Dream may have a young and rather inexperienced roster but with McCoughtry leading the way, the Dream will be be competitive in every game they play.

Dream guard Tiffany Hayes, despite struggling in her last game, has been solid for Atlanta as well, averaging just shy of 12 points per game while providing her team with timely baskets and great leadership.

The Dream, losers of six of their last seven games, play much tougher than their record suggests and, once again, will provide the Lynx with an array of challenges, especially if the Lynx take Atlanta lightly given their guaranteed playoff spot now.

LAST MEETING

The Lynx and the Dream last met on July 31 at the Target Center and, behind a balanced offensive and defensive attack, the Lynx emerged victorious.

Minnesota used their defense to jump out to an early lead, shutting down Atlanta and holding them to just nine points in the first quarter. After that, the Lynx used their steady offensive pace to control the game and maintain a solid and comfortable lead for the rest of the game, eventually winning 86-70.

Lynx forward Maya Moore led all scorers, dropping 21 points to go with 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Guard Lindsay Whalen added 15 points while center Asjha Jones pitched in 12 points, six rebounds and three assists off the bench.

Dream guard Tiffany Hayes led Atlanta, scoring 15 points; the only Dream player to score in double-digits though Atlanta had five players score nine points in the loss.

KEY MATCH-UP: MAYA MOORE VS. ANGEL MCCOUGHTRY

This is a match-up of two of the league’s best scorers. Correction: this is a match-up of two of the league’s best PLAYERS.

Moore and McCoughtry, second and third in the league in scoring, respectively, have been playing fantastic basketball this season and, despite the incredible scoring numbers, have been doing it on both ends of the floor.

Moore has scored 20+ points in 13 of her last 15 games and has propelled herself back into the conversation for league MVP with Chicago Sky forward Elena Della Donne. The Lynx have needed Moore to play her best through a recently tough stretch of games and, despite a few minor hiccups, Moore has delivered, leading the Lynx to the playoffs and the best record in the WNBA.

McCoughtry, though lacking the team success that Moore has enjoyed, has had great personal success this season and cemented her status as one of the top scorers and, better yet, one of the top players in the league. McCoughtry’s ability to penetrate the defense and get easy buckets makes her a match-up nightmare, even for a top defensive team like Minnesota.

These two players are sure to put up lots of points tonight and watching these two go head-to-head is going to be an absolute treat for basketball fans everywhere.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Lynx: PG – Whalen, SG – Cruz, SF – Moore, PF – Brunson, C – Fowles

Dream: PG – Hayes, SG – McCoughtry, SF – Schimmel, PF – Henry, C – Dantas