Paige Bueckers Introspects Wings’ Defense After Olivia Miles’ Second Half Masterclass
Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings just got bested by Olivia Miles’ Minnesota Lynx. Miles has played more like a veteran rather than a rookie all throughout this season. It was no different in her recent regular season game against the Wings.
What ended up happening was that Miles pulled through late for the Lynx after a slow start and eventually got them an eight-point victory, 85-77. During the post-game press conference, Fudd’s teammate, Wings star Paige Bueckers, was asked about Miles playing tremendously better in the second half. For Bueckers, it boiled down to the young talent finding her spots more efficiently.
“They switched up their position and spacing in their ball screen coverage. I think we did a good job forcing it to the sideline in the first half. They got more of the pick and rolls in the middle of the floor, which is tougher to guard, tougher to help off from, and guarding two with two is tough. And they got out in transition a little bit more, and she got loose that way. And then, getting to the free throw line as well,” Bueckers said. (0:55)
Miles finished the triumph over the Dallas-based franchise, tying the team-high with 21 points, to go along with three rebounds, eight assists, a steal, and one block in 34 minutes played. Meanwhile, Bueckers and Fudd were the only ones to score at least 20 points for their team, as they put up 25 and 21 points, respectively. Minnesota now chalks up win No. 15 in its record, while Dallas falls to 11-8.
Paige Bueckers detailed what the game plan was in the second half against the Minnesota Lynx
Later in the said post-game press conference, Paige Bueckers was asked what changed in the second half and what her team was trying to do to uncork the win. The 24-year-old then shared that coach Jose Fernandez was putting more emphasis on playing inside rather than outside. This may stem from the Dallas Wings shooting just 30% from three-point range for the entirety of the game.
“Well, we made some shots to start, and then our defensive intensity, I think, rose. We were trying to be more aggressive, more physical. And then, we got out in transition and tried to get paint touches. Our outside shots weren’t really falling, so we try to get into the paint, and be aggressive that way,” Bueckers shared. (3:12)
