Bird guides Storm past Lynx to even series

SEATTLE – Sue Bird scored 22 points, including two 3-pointers in the second overtime, and the Seattle Storm beat the Minnesota Lynx 86-79 on Sunday night to force a deciding third game in the Western Conference semifinal series.

Tanisha Wright had 18 points for the Storm, including a tying 3 with 23.9 seconds left in the first overtime. Camille Little added 12 points and Tina Thompson had 10.

Rebekkah Brunson scored 22 points and Seimone Augustus had 20 for the defending champion Lynx.

Thompson opened the second extra period with a 3 that put the Storm ahead for good, 78-75. After Lindsay Whalen had a jumper for the Lynx, Bird hit a 3 that stretched Seattle’s lead to four points with 2:24 left.

Brunson and Little exchanged baskets 48 seconds apart, and Bird’s 3 with 42 seconds remaining sealed the Storm’s win.

Game 3 is Tuesday night in Minneapolis. The winner will face Los Angeles in the conference finals.

Lauren Jackson hit a 3 from the right side for Seattle that tied the score at 70-all with 1.1 seconds left in regulation.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin made 1 of 2 two free throws with 11 seconds that put Minnesota up three, setting up Jackson’s tying shot.

Jackson, who shot 4 for 17, was scoreless on 0-for-6 shooting in the first half and had all nine of her points in the third and fourth quarters. She fouled out with 40 seconds to go in the first OT .

Monica Wright’s jumper put the Lynx up 72-70 with 4:07 left in the first extra period, and Little tied with a layup 50 seconds later.

Brunson hit two free throws with 2:09 to go, and then made another with 40 seconds left to put the Lynx up three.