WNBA Finals: By The Numbers

The 2016 WNBA Finals became one of the most exciting five game series in WNBA history with the LA Sparks ending the Minnesota Lynx quest for a repeat. In game 5 there were 11 ties and 24 lead changes until MVP Nneka Ogwumike hit the game winning jumper with 3.1 seconds to go in the 4th quarter. Lindsay Whalen's half-court shot clanked off the rim for a final score 77-76, LA wins their 3rd title in 14 years. Candace Parker was named Finals MVP averaging 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assist.

To get a sense of how close and competitive these two teams were in the series, let's take a look at the WNBA Finals: By The Numbers.

(Traditional and Advance Stats) (Total Stats)

Let's take a look at the rebounding disparity. Minnesota averaged 6 more rebounds than LA and out-rebounded LA by a total of 170 to 143. However, LA was able to hang around in the series due to their ability to get after the O-boards. Totals for offensive rebounds were tied 46-46 and that was on full display in game 5 when LA had the advantage on the glass 14-6. Both teams were able to score off their incredible ball movement, but Minnesota surely had the advantage dropping 25 more assist (Total stats) in the finals. Maya Moore lead in this category averaging 6 assist a game.

The one category I was worried about for LA were the turnovers. In their Semi-Finals match vs the Chicago Sky LA averaged 16.3 turnovers and 20.1 per 100 possessions. The difference in finals? LA was able to limit their miscues while forcing Minnesota to commit 13.8 turnovers. 69 combined turnovers, and 18.3 per 100 possessions. Neither team shot over 40% from beyond the arc, but it was surprising to see how poorly Minnesota preformed behind the 3pt line. In their Semi-Finals match vs the Phoenix Mercury, the Lynx shot 46.4%. In the finals it decreased to 26.1% only hitting 12 of their 46 3PA.

Much of it had to do with LA's perimeter defense holding Maya Moore to only 3.5 attempts per game. An area the Sparks have struggled with all season is FT shooting where they ranked 9th in the league at 79.1%. In the finals they shot a mere 72.5% to the Lynx 85.6% and missed a total of 22 FTs compared to the Lynx 13. As for the remaining categories, you can see how the margins are slim when compared to stats such as OffRtg, DefRtg, NetRtg (tied), EFG, TS, and Ast/To are not far behind.

[Nneka's Controversial Basket]

There has been many conversations among WNBA fans as to whether the basket by Nneka Ogwumike with 1:12 remaining in the 4th quarter should have counted. Apparently, the shot did not count and the WNBA league officials released a memo following the day after game 5.

WNBA Statement on Lynx-Sparks WNBA Finals Game 5

Revision: My initial argument of the shot clock not being reset to 13 has been corrected. After further review, it appears that the arena shot clock was reset at 14 while on ESPN's national broadcast, the shot clock remained at 24 seconds until 1:27 when the shot clock was reset at 13.

Where the refs messed up is they failed to follow WNBA rules which state that in the final 2 minutes of the 4th quarter, each made basket is subject to only an immediate review. After Nneka Ogwumike's made basket, WNBA official Eric Brewton signaled for the shot to be reviewed, but to do it there would need to be a stoppage of play. In that instant there was no stoppage of play and Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve allowed two possession to go by before burning her last time out for the play to be reviewed. By that time it was already a foregone conclusion as the basket became unreviewable and not subject to be changed or altered by the officiating crew.

In her post game conference, Cheryl Reeve blasted the league for allowing the late basket to stand and brought up the 8 second back court violation in game 4. I agree that the officiating needs to get better in the WNBA. For a professional women's basketball league to be taken seriously, you can't have terrible calls and mistakes that allows the league to be seen as if they were being officiated at a high school varsity level. However, I completely disagree that the late basket cost Minnesota the series. Another controversial call that ended the Phoenix Mercury season last year is when Noelle Quinn was called for a foul on Maya Moore with 5.4 seconds to go in the 4th quarter. WNBA league officials had to admit the foul on Quinn should have not been called.

Overall, aside from the mishaps of the referee's, the 2016 WNBA Finals was fun to watch and kept everyone on the edge of their seat. Forgetting my failed prediction, I just want to congratulate the Los Angeles Sparks for winning the 2016 WNBA Championship.

#WNBA365 #WNBA #Womensbasketball #LosAngelesSparks #MinnesotaLynx #NnekaOgwumike #MayaMoore