Lynx at a glance: Expect the same five players who started every game but one a year ago to be in the opening lineup: guards Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus, forwards Maya Moore and Rebekkah Brunson and center Taj McWilliams-Franklin. ... Ten of 12 league general managers picked the Lynx to repeat as champions. They won 15 of their last 16 home games last season. ... This will be the first of four nationally televised regular-season games for the Lynx. That's the most in team history.
Mercury at a glance: Phoenix averaged a league-high 89 points per game last season but its opponents scored nearly as many, 86 points. ... Diana Taurasi is the key to coach Corey Gaines' fast-paced offense. Taurasi averaged 21.6 points last season and can score a lot of points in a hurry with her smooth three-point shot. Forwards Candice Dupree (14.6) and DeWanna Bonner (10.7) also averaged in double figures. On the Mercury bench are Charde Houston and Alexis Hornbuckle, who played for the Lynx last year. ... The Mercury was 19-15 in the regular season in 2011 and reached the Western Conference final before being swept by the Lynx in two games.
