Moore scores 20, Lynx clinch West's top playoff spot

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Maya Moore had 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 73-67 on Tuesday night to secure the

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Maya Moore had 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 73-67 on Tuesday night to secure the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.

Minnesota led 57-39 with 4:03 left in the third quarter, but Seattle closed on a 7-0 run to pull within 57-46. Seattle outscored Minnesota 21-11 through the first 8 minutes of the fourth, but Moore hit a baseline jumper with 1:13 left to extend the Lynx's lead to 70-67. Tricia Liston sealed it with two free throws with 9.3 seconds remaining.

Anna Cruz had 15 points and eight assists for Minnesota (22-11). Sylvia Fowles added 14 points for the Lynx, who played without Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen.

Crystal Langhorne had 14 points for Seattle (9-23) and Jewell Loyd added 13. Seattle has lost 15 straight games at Minnesota.