One Step Back

Fortunately it's been two steps forward and one step back. For the Minnesota Lynx, I mean. Whatever adversary they've had over the past 2 seasons they've overcome. Now they'll have to overcome a 1-0 series deficit and the loss of homecourt advantage to the Indiana Fever in the WNBA Finals.

Don't bet against 'em.

But meanwhile you gotta hand it to the Fever who played a perfect game, beating the WNBA's best team on the road and overcoming more than a bit of adversity themselves. First, leading scorer Katie Douglas was on the bench with a sprained ankle. And second, after leading the Lynx through most of the early going, the Fever gave up an 8-0 run to trail 54-50 late in the 3rd quarter. Now the gritty Lynx, who won 1 point games against both Seattle and L.A. in the 1st and 2nd rounds of the playoffs, had the Fever where they wanted them.

Nope. Shavante Zellous hit 2 FT to close scoring in the 3rd quarter, and the Lynx turned to ball over on their next 3 possessions, one in the 3rd and 2 in the 4th. By the time the Lynx got off another shot it was tied at 58. A Lindsay Whalen bucket put the Lynx ahead 60-58. But by the time they got off another shot they were down 63-60. By the time they scored another FG they were down 72-64.

The Lynx shot just 2-of-13 and were out-scored 20-12 in the 4th quarter. The final was 76-70.

The Lynx had 17 turnovers to just 8 for Indiana. The Fever scored 15 points off turnovers and out-scored Minnesota 38-24 in the paint. And the held the Lynx to just 39 percent shooting from the field. It was just the 2nd loss at the Target Center all year for the Lynx.