Maya Moore played only 15-plus minutes. She was in foul trouble both halves. She scored just eight points.

Rebekkah Brunson was hurting. Not sure where. But Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said she was struggling and the stats show that: nine points, five rebounds. A big drop form 26 points, 11 boards in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against Atlanta.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin sprained her right knee in the third quarter and didn't return. She had 10 points.

Lindsay Whalen had a so-so game for her: 13 points, four assists vs. three turnovers.

So that is four starters with B-grade games at best. But the Lynx still won Wednesday, outscoring the Dream 101-95.

Seimone Augustus was sensational withy her 36 points and Jess Adair came off the bench to score 13 points. She got most of McWilliams-Franklin's minutes and was solid. She made two of three shots, nine of 11 free throws. She also had three blocks and two rebounds.

Monica Wright and Amber Harris also made contributions. Harris, a rookie post, even made a big three in the fourth quarter.

So some how, some way, the Lynx won without playing their best at times. Good teams do that. Championship teams do that.

Atlanta may win one of the next two games on their court. The Dream may even have a slim chance of winning two, especially if McWilliams-Franklin (sprained knee) can't play.

But it's hard to believe the Lynx, even though they represent a state whose teams often fail on the biggest stages, could lose three in a row to the Dream.

Coach Reeve will hate me for writing this, but It's time to start planning the parade for the 2011 WNBA champions.