Game 1 was an absolute barnburner, which seems to be the case every time the Minnesota Lynx and Connecticut Sun play each other this season.
Now, the Napheesa Collier-led Lynx are down 0-1 in the semifinals and will hope grab a win on their home floor in what is as close to a must-win game as exists outside of an elimination contest.
Can Collier and the Lynx even up the series? Keep reading to get to my Game 2 Sun vs. Lynx prediction!
Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun Prediction
I believe that answer is yes. I'm backing the Minnesota Lynx moneyline in Game 2.
Lynx vs. Sun Pick: Lynx Moneyline
Sun vs. Lynx Odds
| Sun Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 152 -110 / -110 | +170 |
| Lynx Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 152 -110 / -110 | -210 |
- Sun vs. Lynx spread: Lynx -4.5
- Sun vs. Lynx over/under: 152 points
- Sun vs. Lynx: Sun +170, Lynx -210
Connecticut Sun: Defense Leads the Way
Connecticut continued its dominant defensive play in Game 1, allowing only 70 points.
The Sun matched up extremely well with Collier, who finished with a respectable 19 points on 43.8% shooting from the field. Collier averaged 40 points per game in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs, so holding one of the W’s best players to 19 points is a huge accomplishment.
Further, Connecticut held the Lynx to an astoundingly low eight points in the fourth quarter, a remarkable achievement against a team that ranked first in effective field goal percentage and second in offensive rating since the return from the All-Star Break.
If Connecticut continues to dominate the glass (+7 in rebounding in Game 1) and limit Minnesota’s 3-point production (25% from deep), it will be incredibly tough to beat.
Minnesota Lynx: Basically a Must Win
It’s not do-or-die for the Minnesota Lynx in Game 2, but if they lose, they will be tasked with winning three consecutive games, including two on the road.
After posting more than 100 points in each of its first two playoff games, Minnesota was held to merely 70 points on just 5-for-20 (25%) shooting from behind the arc.
Heading into this series, that was the concern: Would the Lynx be able to shoot at, or near, their league-leading 38% clip from 3 against a Connecticut team that held the Fever to a 24.1% mark from deep in the first round?
So far, that answer is “no,” but there are still at least two games left in this series.
Sun vs. Lynx Prediction and Pick: Target Minnesota's Moneyline
The Sun and Lynx have played each other extremely close in all four of their matchups this season. It's safe to expect that again in Game 2.
Still, Minnesota has done a fantastic job of making game-to-game adjustments, only losing two consecutive games twice this season.
In this case, expect the Lynx defense to hone in on Marina Mabrey, who has shot the lights out of the ball so far this postseason.
Collier will always get hers, but if the Lynx can hold everyone else to a modest offensive output, they should find a way to win Game 2, especially with an almost inevitable positive 3-point shooting regression in store.
In fact, Minnesota only had two games this season where it failed to eclipse five made 3s in a game. Don't expect that to happen again.
Minnesota will come out with a sense of urgency in Game 2 and take care of business. I’m backing the Lynx to win outright at home.
Lynx vs. Sun Pick: Lynx Moneyline (-205 at DraftKings)
How to Watch Lynx vs. Sun Game 2
| Sun vs. Lynx | Tuesday, October 1 |
| Start Time: | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN 2 / ESPN+, YouTube TV |
| Location: | Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Sun vs. Lynx is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Tuesday. Game 2 of the WNBA Playoffs semifinals matchup between the Connecticut Sun and the Minnesota Lynx is airing on TV on ESPN 2 and streaming live on ESPN+ and YouTube TV.
