Alexander Shun

Web Editor Associate | @alexpshun

Minnesota Lynx (9-3) at Connecticut Sun (7-4) | 6:00 P.M. CT

WHERE TO WATCH: No TV

WHERE TO LISTEN: 106.1 BOB FM

Just how good are the Connecticut Sun? It is honestly quite tough to tell as of late.

After running off a seven-game winning streak and cruising to a 7-1 record and a first-place seat in the Eastern Conference, the Sun have now lost three straight games and all to Eastern Conference foes.

The problem lately has been defense.

After giving up only 68.4 points per game during their seven-game winning streak, the Sun have given up 88.3 points per game over the course of their three-game losing streak.

The Minnesota Lynx will look to capitalize on Connecticut’s defensive struggles, especially forward Maya Moore.

Moore has averaged 23.2 points in her past four games and is now third in the league in scoring, averaging 18.3 points per game this season.

Minnesota easily beat San Antonio on Sunday night 66-49, due in large part to their overwhelmingly tough defense.

The Lynx held the Stars to just 20-of-69 shooting (29 percent) and allowed only one Stars’ player to score in double-digits.

The Sun have some scorers in guard Alex Bentley (averaging 16.8 points per game) and forward Kelsey Bone (averaging 15.2 points per game), but have yet to face a defense quite like Minnesota’s.

LAST MEETING

The Lynx and Sun last met on July 27 last year and it was the first game last season that all players were healthy and available. It definitely showed, especially defensively.

The Lynx held the Sun to 24-of-73 shooting (32.9 percent) including 4-of-19 shooting (21.1 percent) from beyond the arc. Connecticut finished with just 65 points and fell to the Lynx 76-65.

Lynx forward Maya Moore led all scorers, dropping 17 points to accompany her seven rebounds and four assists, while guard Seimone Augustus added 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Forward Rebekkah Brunson, in her first game back from a knee injury, scored nine points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Center Kelsey Bone led the Sun, finishing with 15 points and nine rebounds while forward Chiney Ogwumike added 11 points and four rebounds in a losing effort.

 

KEY MATCHUP: LINDSAY WHALEN VS. ALEX BENTLEY

The tale of the tape says that Whalen and Bentley are two drastically different guards of late.

Both players have been great leaders on very talented squads, but both have led in different ways.

Bentley has led the Sun with her scoring, averaging 19.5 points through her last two games. Bentley also leads the team in scoring this season, averaging 16.8 points per game.

Whalen on the other hand has led the Lynx verbally and through teaching and guiding her teammates. Averaging just 8.5 points in her past two games, Whalen has acquiesced her playing time so as to allow guard Anna Cruz time to familiarize herself with the offense and better integrate herself with the team. There is also rarely a moment where Whalen is not talking to a player or coach to help correct an error that was discovered.

Both players are extremely talented and can spark their respective teams any time they step on the court. It will be an exciting matchup and great to see which player can guide their team to a victory.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Lynx: PG – Whalen, SG – Augustus, SF – Moore, PF – Brunson, C – Jones

Sun: PG – J. Thomas, SG – Bentley, SF – A. Thomas, PF – Little, C – Pedersen