Sparks Looked More Poised Than Lynx In Game 1 Of WNBA Finals

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Lynx have a core group of players participating in their fifth WNBA Finals in the last six seasons. The Los Angeles Sparks only have one player who has made it this far before, and she is a seldom-used reserve.

When it came to poise, consistency and playmaking in Game 1, however, the Sparks looked like the battle-tested group. And now the Lynx are left to lean on their experience to dig out of another hole.

The defending champion Lynx turned the ball over 16 times and looked lost defensively against the Sparks' pick-and-roll in the 78-76 loss on Sunday and got back to work yesterday knowing that if they don't clean things up, their pursuit of a record-tying fourth title will swirl down the drain.

Game 2 of the best-of-five series is tonight in Minneapolis, and the Lynx don't have to look back far to find inspiration and comfort in a precarious position. They lost Game 1 at home to the Indiana Fever in last year's finals, but ultimately prevailed in five games for their third championship.