Minnesota Lynx beat Los Angeles Sparks 84-78, extend winning streak to nine – NBA Update
Lindsay Whalen scored a season-high 24 points, dished out eight assists and grabbed four rebounds, as the Minnesota Lynx earned their ninth straight win by defeating the Los Angeles Sparks, 84-78, on Sunday night at Staples Center.
The current winning streak of Minnesota is their longest in the history of franchise. On the other hand, it was third consecutive defeat for Los Angeles.
Whalen ended the night with 9 for 15 shooting from the field and 5 for 8 from free throw line. Seimone Augustus scored 19 points on an 8 for 14 shooting from the field, grabbed seven rebounds and had two steals in the victory.
Rebekkah Brunson had 18 points, seven boards and three steals for Minnesota. Brunson shot 6 for 9 from the floor and pinned 6 of 6 free throws. Maya Moore ended with 10 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals for the Lynx, who are heading the league
so far in this season with a 16-4 record.
DeLisha Milton led the Sparks with 18 points on a 7 for 12 shooting from the floor. Tina Thompson added 17 points, five rebounds and two steals while Ticha Penicheiro came off the bench with 16 points, seven assists, three rebounds
and two steals in the loss. Jantel Lavender also totalled 11 points and six rebounds for the Sparks, who have lost seven of their previous ten games.
Los Angeles shot 50.9 percent (28 for 55) from the floor and 85 percent (17 for 20) from the line. Minnesota shot 49.2 percent (32 for 65) from the floor and 80 percent (16 for 20) from free throw line. Sparks also committed 18
turnovers as compared to just 12 by the visiting team, who also outscored Los Angeles 11-0 on the fast break points.
Whalen scored 16 of her points in the first half as Minnesota maintained an eight-point lead, 45-37, at halftime. Lynx stretched their lead to 11 points, 65-54, with 57 seconds to go in the third quarter, before Los Angeles scored
four consecutive points to cut the deficit to seven points, 65-58. Minnesota opened the fourth quarter on an 11-3 run to take 76-61 advantage and although Los Angeles put up a scoring exhibition late, they never managed to threaten Lynx.
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