A Look at the Lynx: Detroit, May 22

#6 posting 5.24.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

This game took place on Tuesday, May 22
DETROIT shock 85, MINNESOTA lynx 75

Again, I know this is late, but here are the digested numbers with some observations from the play by play. If you want the full box go to the WNBA site.

It was all tied after one at 23. Detroit was making its coin at the line with 13 free throws. That indicates that the defense isn't quick enough, or out of position. MN held a strong 18-10 lead with 2:32 left. Then Detroit ran off six straight scoring possessions including 7 free throws in a 13-5 run.

The Lynx had a decent run of five straight in the second quarter, but Detroit matched them with a 9/10 final sequence to take a 48-40 lead at half. Again it was late in the quarter when the damage occurred. Detroit led 38-35 with 1:38 left and outscored MN 10-5.

MN came out of locker room cold with a six possession drought. Detroit stretched the lead to 14 during this segment. MN regained some equillibrium with five scores in a seven possessions to cut the Detroit lead to 58-50 with 3:34 left. Then, right on cue, the roof caved in with another late quarter dive. Detroit scored on six straight possessions and outscored the Lynx 13-3 to go up 71-53.

It is pretty hard to rally from 18 down at the home of the defending WNBA champ. It is even harder with another six possession drought to start the quarter. Luckily Detroit also went dry during the same sequence. MN did manage to cut the margin with a little 4/5 sequence. Again Detroit had a five straight scoring burst late in the quarter before subs stopped the feasting. It was a 9-5 margin for Detroit.

So in the last few minutes of each quarter added up in favor of Detroit. The Shock held a 45-20 advantage in only 9;54 minutes of action. Minnesota actually outscored Detroit 55-40 in the other 30:06 of the game.

NUMBERS EXPLAINED
player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %

MINNESOTA
STARTERS
Lindsey Harding 8, 15, 53.3, .267
Seimone Augustus 19, 13, 146.2, .615
Noelle Quinn 0, 4, 0.0, .000
Tamika Raymond 0, 2, 0.0, .000
Nicole Ohlde 14, 17, 82.4, .412
BENCH
Katherin Ress 8, 8, 100.0, .500
Kristen Mann 6, 6, 100.0, .500
Svetlana Abrosimova 2, 3, 66.7, .333
Amber Jacobs 14, 8, 175.0, .625
Navonda Moore 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Kiesha Brown 4, 3, 133.3, .667

DETROIT
STARTERS
Katie Smith 5, 11, 45.3, .273
Deanna Nolan 16, 11, 145.5, .600
Cheryl Ford 15, 14, 107.1, .643
Swin Cash 11, 10, 110.0, .600
Kara Braxton 14, 10, 140.0, .600
BENCH
Plenette Pierson 12, 7, 171.4, .857
Shannon Johnson 8, 8, 100.0, .500
Katie Feenstra 3, 4, 75.0, .250
Elaine Powell 1, 1, 100.0, 1.000
Ivory Latta 0, 2, 0.0, .000
Amy Sanders 0, 1, 0.0, .000

TRENCH PLAYER
Cheryl Ford

BY THE NUMBERS
Minnesota 75, 80, 93.8, .425
Detroit 85, 79, 107.6, .544
made 3s: MN 6, Detroit 2
made fts: Detroit 23, MN 21
assists: Detroit 19, MN 14
bench: MN 34, Detroit 24
MN delivered from the 3 line and the bench was better than the Shock's. However the Shock's starters were 20 points better than MN's. With two MN starters failing to find the bottom of the net, it makes it hard to win games. Compounding that is Harding checking in with a 53.3 pp100 and Ohlde at 82.4 pp100. Contrast that with the four +100 starters for Detroit with only former Lynxster Katie Smith sub 100, in fact sub 50 at 45.3 pp100.

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
MINNESOTA
Lindsey Harding 7
Seimone Augustus 4
Noelle Quinn 4
Kristen Mann 4
Nicole Ohlde 3
Katherin Ress 3
Navonda Moore 1
Tamika Raymond 1
totals: 27

DETROIT
Cheryl Ford 11
Katie Smith 8
Deanna Nolan 5
Kara Braxton 4
Plenette Pierson 4
Katie Feenstra 2
Shannon Johnson 1
Swin Cash 1
totals: 36

Next up: the out & about with MN Stars Borowicz vs North Tartan.