Putback propels Lynx past the Fever
Published 12:54 am Wednesday, August 6, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS — When the Minnesota Lynx needed a basket, Seimone Augustus was in the right position at the right time.
Augustus’ rebound score as time expired lifted the Lynx to their 10th consecutive victory, 66-64 over the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night.
Lindsay Whalen’s 15-foot baseline jumper rattled around the rim before falling into the hands of Augustus, who finished with 18 points and five rebounds. She was mobbed by her teammates in the free-throw lane when the final buzzer sounded.
“They collapsed in (the middle) and Lindsay got a great look at the basket,” Augustus said. “I was just in great position to get that tip-in rebound.”
While the Lynx (23-6) celebrated the win, the Fever (13-16) walked off with another tight loss. Of Indiana’s 29 games this season, 15 have been decided by five points or less. Indiana is 6-9 in those games.
Maya Moore had 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for Minnesota, which is battling Phoenix for the West’s top spot. Whalen had nine points and six rebounds.
“Every game in the WNBA is a battle,” Moore said. “On any night, any team can win. And it’s fun to play that way. You have to bring your best every night.”
Karima Christmas led the Fever with 15 points, and Erlana Larkins had 13 points and 11 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season. Indiana is still competing for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Lynx’s Moore named Western Conference Player of the Month
Moore was named Western Conference Player of the Month on Tuesday.
It was the second Player of the Month Award this season for Moore and the fourth in the past five, going back to August 2013.
The award marks the seventh time a Lynx player has been named Player of the Month, with Lindsay Whalen (August 2011), Seimone Augustus (July 2011) and Rebekkah Brunson (June 2011) also having received the award.
Moore averaged 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in July, helping Minnesota compile a 9-1 record. She set a team-record 48 points in a 112-108 double-overtime victory over Atlanta on July 22.