Lynx even up WNBA Finals series

Fowles scores 22 to force deciding game for title

Sylvia Fowles and the Lynx defeated the Sparks 80-69 to force a Game 5 showdown for the title.

LOS ANGELES - Sylvia Fowles scored 22 points and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks 80-69 on Sunday night to force a decisive Game 5 in the WNBA Finals.

Maya Moore and the Lynx will try for their fourth championship in seven years on Wednesday night at home. The Sparks won Game 5 at Minnesota last season to take the crown.

Candace Parker and the Sparks are hoping to become the league’s first repeat champion since Los Angeles in 2002.

For the second consecutive year, the Lynx found themselves down 2-1 on the Sparks’ court. And just like last season, Minnesota pushed the series to a winner-take-all game.

Facing an end to their season, the Lynx were aggressive from the start, grabbing a lot of loose balls and dominating the glass. They trailed 10-8 before scoring 11 straight points in the first quarter. Minnesota led the rest of the way.

Odyssey Sims scored 18 points for the Sparks and Nneka Ogwumike added 17.

Minnesota dominated inside the paint with baskets and rebounds. Minnesota outrebounded the Sparks 4828. The Sparks had outrebounded the Lynx in Game 3 and that was a point of emphasis for Minnesota to be more physical inside.

In the first quarter, Lynx point guard Lindsey Whalen used her arm in a chopping motion to foul Sims in transition. Whalen was called for a common foul but it was reviewed and upgraded to a Flagrant 1. Sims stayed down on the floor but was fine and would stay in the game. Still, that physical play seemed to set the tone for the Lynx, who were a different team than in a 75-64 loss two days earlier.

TIP-INS

Actor Anthony Anderson, actress Vivica A. Fox, former WNBA player Tina Thompson and Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti were at the game. … The Sparks went into their locker room during the national anthem in silent protest for the fourth consecutive game. … The Sparks missed all seven of their 3-point attempts in the first quarter.

UP NEXT

The Sparks travel to Minnesota for the deciding Game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Williams Arena on Wednesday.

GARY A. VASQUEZ/USA TODAY SPORTS Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles is defended by Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, rear, and forward Candace Parker during the first half of Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday in Los Angeles.