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WNBA Playoffs round 2 podcast: Sparks-Mystics, Mercury-Sun

Ben Dull|
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23: The Washington Mystics celebrate from the sideline during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Round Two of the 2018 WNBA Playoffs on August 23, 2018 at George Washington University in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23: The Washington Mystics celebrate from the sideline during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Round Two of the 2018 WNBA Playoffs on August 23, 2018 at George Washington University in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

In the second round of the 2018 WNBA playoffs, the Washington Mystics defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 96-64, and the Phoenix Mercury topped the Connecticut Sun 96-86.

With that, the semifinal matchups are set. Third-seeded Washington will face the Atlanta Dream, and the Mercury will take on the Seattle Storm.

In this edition of the Locked On Women’s Basketball Podcast, host Ben Dull is joined first by Lindsay Gibbs of High Post Hoops to discuss Sparks/Mystics, including:

  • how the Mystics were able to seize control of the game and build on their lead in the second and third quarters
  • walking the line to both discuss how difficult the playoff schedule is on teams playing in the opening rounds without discounting Washington’s dominant performance
  • the impact and improvement of LaToya Sanders and Natasha Cloud
  • a look ahead to how the Mystics will match up with the Dream

Gibbs wrote recently about Sanders and the big season she’s having for the Mystics:

Also covered later in the episode:

  • quick thoughts on Mercury/Sun
  • the dominance of Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner complemented by DeWanna Bonner’s seamless return
  • how Stephanie Talbot and Briann January add so much value as complementary players in Phoenix’s starting five
  • how Phoenix matches up with Seattle
  • predictions on both semifinal series

Both semifinal series will begin on Sunday. Atlanta will host Washington in the first game of the day (3 PM ET, ESPN2). Seattle will then host Phoenix (5 PM ET) in the second Game 1 of the day.

The Dream and Storm will host Game 2s on Tuesday before their respective series transition to Washington and Phoenix, respectively.

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