Minnesota has earned a spot in the WNBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. The Lynx had never won a playoff series before coming into this postseason run. Atlanta is making its second straight trip to the WNBA Finals after getting swept last season by Seattle.The way Seattle dominated the league in 2010 is not unlike what the Lynx have done this year. Minnesota won more games than any other team, was strong both at home and on the road and has a bevy of ways to hurt the opponent, from the scoring of Seimone Augustus (averaging 20.4 points per game in the postseason), to the gritty play of point guard Lindsay Whalen, to the steady leadership of Taj McWilliams-Franklin to the explosive post play of Rebekkah Brunson. And then there's the small matter of Minnesota's strong, disciplined defensive play, among the best in the league all season.
So, for the second season in a row, Atlanta will be trying to slay the league's giant.
The Dream came into the postseason as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, but it should surprise no one that they are here, considering the way they have played over the past six weeks. After a 3-9 start attributable to injuries and absences, the Dream put it together in a big way behind third-year forward Angel McCoughtry. The Dream have lost just three games since Aug. 13 and haven't lost two straight since early July.
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