It is a measured approach that Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve is taking regarding Thursday's showdown with Phoenix looming.

First of all – and my colleague Megan Ryan will have much more on this in Thursday's paper – the one thing Reeve is clearly doing is not buying into the hype of the game. Yes, it's between the two best teams in the Western Conference – and, thus, the two best teams in the WNBA. Yes, the Lynx have gone 0-2 vs. Phoenix this season, not having a full roster of healthy players available for either game.

But Reeve is taking the "this is the next, biggest game'' approach, and she has clearly communicated that mindset to her players.

The Mercury, which has been injury-free all season, is hosting Los Angeles tonight looking to win for the 16th straight time. The league record winning streak is 18. So the Mercury will play tonight, then fly to Minneapolis Wednesday.

The Lynx, meanwhile, won their seventh straight game in Connecticut Sunday. They flew home Monday and had the day off. Today the team didn't do much on the court; Reeve wanted to give her veterans more time to rest. Instead, the team watched a bunch of film and then the players lifted weights.

Why? Reeve and her players know what they have to do vs. Phoenix. No exotic schemes need to be installed; the two teams know each other very well. It's just a matter of executing. So the Lynx, with two days off their feet, will get at it in a fairly intense practice Wednesday.

--Tonight, for the sixth consecutive year, the Lynx will head to the rotunda at Mall of America for the "Catwallk for a Cure,'' which is sponsored by Hope Chest for Breast Cancer. It is an irreverent fashion show in which the players and coaches each model a look for the assembled fans. All proceeds for the event will benefit the Lynx Foundation, which supports breast cancer research and support programs throughout the state.

"This is a time when we get to show our fashion sense, our style, and people get to enjoy it," Seimone Augustus said. "It's also a bigger cause.''

The team has a huge commitment to this cause. A number of the team's fans – and a bunch of those fans will be there tonight – have dealt with the disease. "To have them there, and show us the way, it inspires us," Augustus said.

It also has the side benefit of being a great team bonding experience. "We get to laugh at each other, and enjoy making fun of each other with the outfits we put together," Augustus said.

That's about it, for now. Have a great rest of your day.