THREE STORYLINES
Who will step up for the Dream? Minnesota likely will focus on trying to stop Angel McCoughtry, who led the WNBA during the regular season with 21.5 points per game and has averaged 19.6 in the playoffs. Dream coach Fred Williams has said every night, someone needs to come through. In the playoffs, the team has received at least one standout performance from Erika de Souza, Armintie Herrington or Tiffany Hayes.
Who will guard Maya Moore? Moore, a former standout at Collins Hill High, has averaged 21.5 points per game in the playoffs. Williams may not want to put McCoughtry on Moore because he can't afford for McCoughtry to risk getting into foul trouble. That likely leaves Hayes or Le'Coe Willingham.
Can the Dream stay focused? The team lost its last four games during the regular season and then dropped the opening game in the first playoff series against Washington in one of the worst performances in franchise history. However, it bounced back to win its next four games and secure a spot in the WNBA finals. They are the first team in WNBA history to reach the finals after posting a .500 record (17-17) during the regular season.
WNBA FINALS SCHEDULE
Game 1: Sunday, Dream at Lynx, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2: Tuesday, Dream at Lynx, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Game 3: Thursday, Lynx at Dream, 8:30 p.m., ESPN2
*Game 4: Oct. 13, Lynx at Dream, 8 p.m., ESPN2
*Game 5: Oct. 16, Dream at Lynx, 8 p.m, ESPN
*If necessary
Note: Games 3 and Game 4 (if necessary) will be played at the Gwinnett Arena, not Philips Arena.
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