October 6, 2015 – Chris Denari previews Game 2 of the 2015 WNBA Finals.
Indiana Fever at Minnesota Lynx
WNBA Finals, Game 2
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Time: 8:00 p.m. (EDT)
Site: Target Center (Minneapolis, MN)
Television: ESPN2
Radio: 1070 AM (WFAN)
Webcast: Live webcast and stats can be accessed via WNBA Live Access on FeverBasketball.com. (Webcasts during games televised on FOX Sports Indiana may not be available in local market areas due to blackout restrictions.)
Storylines & Promotion
- The Fever shot just 36 percent from the field, but used a perfect 16-for-16 performance from the free throw line to steal Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, 75-69, in Minnesota on Sunday afternoon.
- With Sunday’s victory, the Fever earned their 34th playoff victory in the franchise’s history, moving into a first-place tie with the Los Angeles Sparks for the most postseason wins in WNBA history.
- When she steps on the floor for Game 2, Tamika Catchings will play her 64th career playoff game, tying her with Taj McWilliams-Franklin for the most postseason games played in WNBA history.
- Catchings needs only two offensive rebounds to tie McWilliams-Franklin (137) for second place in playoff offensive rebounds.
- On the same note, Erlana Larkins moved into seventh place on the WNBA’s career offensive rebound list with five offensive boards in Game 1. She needs only three more to pass Cheryl Ford (120) into sole possession of sixth place on the list.
- Indiana has lost nine consecutive regular season meetings against Minnesota and nine strait at the Target Center; however, the Fever have won four of the five playoff meetings over the Lynx dating back to their 2012 WNBA Finals series.
Probable Starters
Fever – F-Marissa Coleman, F-Tamika Catchings, C-Erlana Larkins, G-Shenise Johnson, G-Briann January
Lynx – F- Maya Moore, F- Rebekkah Brunson, C- Sylvia Fowles, G- Seimone Augustus, G- Lindsay Whalen
Series Recap
(October 4, 2015) MINNEAPOLIS – Despite shooting just 36 percent from the field on the day, the Indiana Fever shot 16-for-16 from the free throw line to hold on for a 75-69 road victory in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. The Lynx rallied in the fourth quarter after trailing by six early in the period as Sylvia Fowles’ layup gave Minnesota its first second-half lead, 62-61, with 4:12 to play. But Marissa Coleman answered on the other end with a three-pointer off an offensive rebound and dish from Briann January to put the Fever ahead for good. Five Fever players finished in double figures, led by January with 19 points and six assists. Coleman finished with 16, Tamika Catchings added 12, while Shenise Johnson and Shavonte Zellous each pitched in 10. Maya Moore led the Lynx with 27 points and 12 rebounds, while frontcourt mate Sylvia Fowles added 21 and 11.
Revisiting the 2012 WNBA Finals
Much like this season’s run to the WNBA Finals, the 2012 Fever reached the WNBA Finals after facing elimination in each of the first two rounds. Indiana survived in three-game series in the Eastern Semis against the Atlanta Dream, and again in the Eastern Finals over the Connecticut Sun. The Fever would eventually defeat the Western Conference champ Minnesota Lynx in four games. In the 2012 Finals, the Fever shocked the defending champions by winning Game 1 on the road at the Target Center, 76-70. As the series shifted back to Indianapolis tied 1-1, the Fever defended their home floor and won Games 3 and 4 to capture the franchise’s first WNBA title.
Five players from the 2012 championship season are making a return trip to the Finals this season, including starters Tamika Catchings, Erlana Larkins and Briann January. Key reserve Shavonte Zellous makes her second appearance in the Finals, while Jeanette Pohlen was also a member of the 2012 championship squad.
Series
The Lynx swept the two regular season meetings with the Fever this season, including a 16-point victory at the Target Center on Sept. 4. The Fever have lost nine consecutive regular season games to the Lynx and have dropped nine regular season road games in a row at Minnesota. However, Indiana was able to steal a Game 1 victory in the 2012 WNBA Finals on their way to winning the series, 3-1.