Five takeaways: Big 3 saves Lynx in WNBA Finals Game 4, forces winner-take-all


The Minnesota Lynx's Big 3 has saved the season of the defending champions yet again.

With their backs against the wall and facing an elimination game on the road, the trio of Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, and Lindsay Whalen -- the faces that have collectively catapulted the team to a powerhouse status in this decade -- joined hands for a remarkable Game 4 performance as the Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks, 85-79 on Sunday.

Not only did the Lynx spoil the Sparks' bid for a championship celebration inside a packed Staples Center, the squad also extended the series to a winner-take-all Game 5 which will be played at their home turf on Thursday.

The last time the WNBA Finals went the full distance was last year, and the Lynx dominated the Indiana Fever at home in the series-clincher.

Moore poured 31 points, the highest output by any player in the finals, and added nine rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Augustus came back to life, providing 12 points, seven boards, and five assists while Whalen once again became an aggressor en route to finishing with 13 points on 4-for-7 shooting.

The Lynx asserted control from the start, taking advantage of Kristi Toliver's foul trouble. Minnesota went small, and took a six-point lead into the halftime break before opening up a double-digit lead in the third quarter.

And although the Sparks made several attempts to overtake the Lynx, every time the home team made a run, the Lynx went on to find a response.

The game was last tied at 69 apiece but Whalen knocked down back to back baskets to push the lead up to 73-69. A three later by Chelsea Gray cut the lead down to two, 77-75 but Rebbekah Brunson responded with a bank shot to help the Lynx stave off any late-game disaster.

Gray topscored for the Sparks with 20 points off the bench including a 4-for-5 clip from three-point area. Toliver added 15 points on 4-for-6 from long distance. Nneka Ogwumike and Alana Beard each added 11 points. Parker finished with 14 points but shot 4-for-14 from the floor.

Game 5 is on Thursday, October 20 in Minneapolis. Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN 2.

Here are five takeaways from Game 4 of the 2016 WNBA Finals:

The Lynx's small ball line-up was destructive on both ends

With Brunson picking up three fouls early in the game, the Lynx were once again forced to play smaller. But the thing is, the smaller line-up tends to favor them each time.

The Lynx played Whalen, Augustus, Moore, either Jia Perkins or Renee Montgomery, and a big (usually Sylvia Fowles). It allowed them to switch better on the defensive end. It also spaced the floor on offense, giving the Lynx more opportunities to score on quality shots. Another takeaway is that Whalen is now defending Toliver, which puts Augustus on either Gray, Essence Carson, or Alana Beard. That limits the Sparks' drives since Augustus has more length. It didn't help that Toliver also struggled with foul trouble.

The beauty about the relatively smaller line-up is that Cheryl Reeve still keeps a big on the floor in Fowles. That was enough for the Lynx not to get overpowered when it comes to the rebounding battle. In fact, the Lynx dominated that department, 41-25. Fowles had 13 boards to go along with 10 points.

Parker had several chances to capitalize against a smaller defender, but she didn't

Speaking of Minnesota's small ball line-up, Parker had several opportunities to take advantage of having a smaller defender guard her, but often times she just stayed in the perimeter and settled for jumpers.

Moore did a decent job on Parker when she was at the four spot, but Parker has to get more touches close to the rim and use her size to get easy baskets.

We are living in the Maya Moore era, and it hasn't even peaked yet


When Moore won the WNBA title in just her rookie season in the league, it signalled the start of something special for a player of such talent and potential. Four years after, Moore has won two more titles and the regular season MVP award in 2014.

Game 4 showed that when everything is on the line, Moore responds with an entirely different level of tenacity. Only a few players could step up to that pressure. That's what separates her from the rest of the league.

Without a doubt, we are truly living in the Moore era, and the best part of it is this isn't even the peak yet. Moore is just in her sixth season in the league and is just 27 years old. She should have about another four to five years of being the best player in the league and taking it by storm.

Another title will elevate her status even further; and if the Lynx could continue giving her a solid supporting cast after the eventual departure of some veterans, she will be building a strong case when it comes to becoming the GOAT.

The Sparks will need everyone in their short rotation to contribute

Brian Agler has been conservative with his playoff rotation, which is fine, but the Sparks will need everyone to contribute in Game 5.

The acquisitions of Essence Carson and Chelsea Gray proved to be vital for the Sparks. In Game 3, it was Carson who stepped up to do damage. In Game 4, Gray kept the Sparks in the game. In the do-or-die fifth game, everyone should be locked in from the start. If the Sparks get production outside of their two MVPs and Toliver, that will give them a better chance of winning. It will force the Lynx to adjust defensively.

The new WNBA playoff format did its job


The main reason for changing the playoff format is to give all teams a chance of making it to the post-season.

At the same time, a conference-less playoff format will prevent a clash between two strong teams from the same conference in an earlier round.

The Lynx and Sparks were the two best teams in the regular season, and it is fitting that both of them are battling for the title.

Save for the second round which arguably should be a pair of best-of-threes instead of single-elimination, the new WNBA playoff format did its job.

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