NBA Live 18: Sim of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals predicts Lynx victory

Game 1 of the 2017 WNBA Finals is rolling on ABC, and the results of a simulation in EA Sports NBA Live 18 could be considered good news for the home team.

While the Minnesota Lynx and the Los Angeles Sparks both try to get an edge in the best-of-five WNBA Finals by taking Game 1 on Sunday, EA Sports’ NBA Live 18 has given fans a glimpse into what they might expect.

The hosts for Game 1, Minnesota, used a strong first quarter to build a lead that they were able to protect through the Sparks’ strongest runs and pulled away late to nab a 46-29 win and a 1-0 lead in the series.

The game started off like fans should expect a contest between two of the WNBA’s best teams to, like two heavyweight fighters feeling each other out. The Lynx were able to take advantage of Los Angeles’ shooting woes to start the game, and behind four points from WNBA MVP Sylvia Fowles brought a 10-2 lead into the second quarter.

Cold shooting from all over the court would become a narrative of the game, but the Sparks weren’t so easily dismissed. Los Angeles went 5-for-9 from the field and converted on its only 3-point attempt of the second quarter to trim the advantage to 16-15 at halftime. Candace Parker finding her step in the paint had a lot to do with the Sparks’ run.

Although the Sparks entered the locker rooms with a ton of momentum thanks largely to Parker, they weren’t able to propel that into the third quarter. Minnesota’s defense stymied Los Angeles in the third, limiting the Sparks to 3-11 shooting while getting Maya Moore going to take a 29-21 advantage into the final quarter of play.

From there, the Lynx got into an offensive rhythm that Los Angeles couldn’t contain, running the offense through Fowles into the hands of Moore and others.

Minnesota outshot the Sparks 45 to 32 percent for the game, and out-rebounded Los Angeles 27 to 21. The Lynx were also able to force seven turnovers and recorded three blocked shots.

Parker led all scorers in a losing effort with 17 points on 7/15 shooting with seven rebounds. Moore led Minnesota with 12 points. Fowles finished with 10 rebounds.

Next: Every WNBA team, ranked by the altitude of its nickname

If the sim proves true, WNBA fans should expect a defensive game in which both team’s bigs can thrive, but ultimately Maya Moore will prove to be the difference for the home team. How accurate this sim will prove to be remains to be seen, but what’s certain is that fans should be treated to a stellar game either way.