Minnesota continued as one of two unbeatens, winning at Golden State Sunday 86-75.
The Valkyries went into half leading by one, 52-51. Perhaps the Lynx’ adjustments included “slow the eff down”, because they won the second half 35-23.
Golden State had the 12-point spread covered for three quarters, but Minnesota began the 4th on a 15-1 run to lead 83-61 with 5:43 left.
The Lynx backers might’ve felt secure, but the Valkyries ran off 14-3 to make it 86-75 at 1:56, and suddenly the betting public (if not the crowd at the Chase Center) has regained interest. At 0:31, Lynx guard Courtney Williams missed a driving layup, and Minnesota failed to cover.
The oddsmakers did a great job on this one, putting a 12-point spread on a game that was separated by 11 with 30 seconds to go.
***
Kate Martin is by far the most favorite Valkyrie, according to jerseys sold, but until she scored a career-best 14 last night, I wasn’t sure she was a complete package.
Another media type alluded to that at Coach Nakase’s pregame conference in Los Angeles last weekend. Nakase praised Martin’s most rapid decision-making on the floor and exceptional basketball IQ, and said the performance part would follow. Last night, it did.
The second-most-sighted jersey last night was Nepheesa Collier’s. Full marks to the San Francisco fans wearing the jersey of the visiting team’s best player.