Preview: The Lynx stumbled in their first game after the Olympic break, falling to Connecticut 84-80 Friday. It was the team's second straight loss at the Mohegan Sun Arena and ended a six-game winning streak. Lindsay Whalen and Sylvia Fowles scored 16 points each. The Lynx have beaten Seattle in nine of their past 10 games, but the Storm is coming off a 79-72 victory over Los Angeles on Friday.
Players to watch: Clearly, Maya Moore was not at her best offensively Friday. She made three of 12 shots and finished with eight points, nearly 12 below her average. … While Whalen had a good night offensively, her defense was suspect. She was a minus-16 and turned the ball over a team-high six times. … Seattle G Sue Bird, like Whalen and Moore a Team USA member, showed no signs of Olympic fatigue Friday, scoring 15 points on 5-for-7 three-point shooting. … Spanish guard Anna Cruz is expected to make her first appearance for the Lynx this season.
Numbers: Seattle made 10 of 22 three-pointers Friday vs. Los Angeles. … Minnesota (21-5) remains a half-game behind league-leading Los Angeles (21-4). … The 53 points Connecticut scored in the first half were the most the Lynx have given up before halftime all season.
Also at the game: The Lynx will unveil the new Target Center scoreboard Sunday.
JIM PAULSEN
