Connecticut defeats Indiana, 76-64, in East Finals opener

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Tina Charles scored 18 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and blocked four shots to lead the Connecticut Sun to a 76-64 win over the Indiana Fever in the opener of the Eastern Conference Finals. Meanwhile, Asjha Jones played lock-down defense on Tamika Catchings, holding the Fever's star to just two field goals and seven points.

Kara Lawson had 16 points and Tan White added 13 for the Sun, who swept New York in the opening round and have now won eight of their last nine games.

Katie Douglas, who spent five years with the Sun and her first seven years in the WNBA with the franchise that moved from Orlando to Connecticut, had 27 points to lead the Fever. She hit 11 of her 19 shots, including 5 of 10 from 3-point range.

Connecticut outrebounded Indiana 30-25 and had 15 second-chance points, overcoming a strong start from Indiana.

Now leading the series 1-0, the Sun have a chance to go for the sweep this Monday night when they play the Fever in Game 2 in Indiana.