The drive for five remains alive. The Minnesota Lynx opened up a comfortable lead by halftime and played much better on defense to beat Connecticut 88-77 Tuesday night in the decisive Game 5 of their closely matched WNBA semifinal. In front of a boisterous, towel-waving sold-out lower deck in Target Center, Napheesa Collier led the Lynx with 27 points and 11 rebounds, becoming the first player in league history with three consecutive playoff games with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds. She also had four assists and four blocks. “When Phee plays like the MVP, we’re a hard team to beat,” said coach Cheryl Reeve. But she was far from alone. Courtney Williams had a season-best 24 points to go with seven assists and five rebounds. Kayla McBride added 19 points. Aiming to become the first WNBA franchise with five crowns, second-seeded Minnesota begins the best-of-five finals Thursday in Brooklyn against the top-seeded New York Liberty, a franchise yet to claim a title. The Lynx last appeared in the finals in 2017, winning their fourth title in seven seasons. “You play to be on that stage, and I think we’re all ready for the moment. We just have to get it done,” Williams said. Added Reeve: “We’re happy that we’re going to the finals, but we’re not going to be just happy to be there.” Game 2 is Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn, with Game 3 next Wednesday in Target Center. If necessary, Game 4 is scheduled for Oct. 18 in downtown Minneapolis and Game 5 Oct. 20 in the Big Apple. A top-notch defense has been the lynchpin of Lynx success this season, but in three of six prior postseason games Minnesota opponents have shot at least 50% from the field, a mark not reached during the 40-game regular season. Before the game, Reeve said the Lynx defense “will be (better) tonight.” It was. Playing against a more aggressive bunch, the Sun shot 38.5%, including a combined 7 for 29 in the middle two quarters. In Sunday’s Game 4, Connecticut shot 53.7% from the field. The Sun committed 19 turnovers Tuesday night. “They fed well off each other. They help each other. They were physical with us every game this series. I think it was two heavyweight teams going at it, and they got the better of us,” said DeWanna Bonner, who had 14 points and nine rebounds. DiJonai Carrington led the Sun with 17 points and 12 rebounds, Brionna Jones had 16 points and 10 boards. Minnesota, which shot 49.3% for the game, led 53-34 at intermission, the most first-half points allowed by Connecticut this season. “They came out and knocked us in the mouth,” said Sun coach Stephanie White. In an apt play to describe much of the first two quarters, Williams fed Collier for a layup in traffic. With most of the 8,769 in attendance roaring, Collier and Williams both smiled widely and chest-bumped before Collier sank a free throw to complete the 3-point play for a 51-30 Lynx lead. Getting out better in transition, the Lynx shot 55.3% in the first half, including 6 of 15 from 3. Williams had 15 points and four assists, and McBride found her stroke with 14 points, including a couple of 3-pointers. A nearly 41% shooter from deep in the regular season, she was 5 for 17 in the series’ first four games. Connecticut began the third quarter on a 7-0 run to get within 12 but did not score for the next 5:33. In that time, back-to-back-to-back baskets by Collier capped a 12-0 run for a 65-41 Lynx lead, their largest of the night. A pair of treys from Bonner got the Sun within 78-65 with 3:40 to play, but McBride scored on a drive and hit a 3 around a Sun basket for a 15-point Lynx lead. “I just felt overwhelmingly proud of how we played,” Reeve said. “We played Lynx basketball tonight, and it’s nice to get back to that.” Related Articles Minnesota Lynx | It’s all on the line for the Lynx in Game 5 of the semifinals. Here’s what to know. Minnesota Lynx | Jace Frederick: This is the time for Napheesa Collier to have another moment Minnesota Lynx | After Lynx lose to Sun, it’s down to Game 5 in WNBA semifinals Minnesota Lynx | Lynx offense comes alive in Connecticut to take 2-1 lead in WNBA semifinals Minnesota Lynx | Williams leads Lynx to Game 2 win, tying WNBA semifinal series