The Phoenix Mercury kicks off their post-All-Star break season on Tuesday night. Phoenix is currently in the ninth seed with a 10-14 record. If the Mercury wants to make the playoffs, they will have to do certain things better for the rest of the season.
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Phoenix must defend better; opponents shoot 38% from three-point land against them. Also, Mercury gives up 84.8 points, which is ninth in the WNBA. As a result, Phoenix will have to focus more on the defensive end of the court. Defense usually comes down to effort and being able to move your feet. You can score all the points you want, but defense wins championships.
Rebound
The Mercury is dead last in the WNBA in rebounding; their lack of size on the front-line hurts them. Phoenix picked Reshanda Gray a couple of games before the All-Star break; she should be able to help on the boards. When you lack size, your guards must come down in the paint and help with the rebounding. It will be a team effort if Mercury can improve their rebounding. Not rebounding well leads to second dance points for the opposing team.
Cut Down on the Three’s
Phoenix is fifth in the WNBA in three-pointers made per game, but they are last in three-point field goal percentage, shooting 32%. Therefore, Mercury should cut down on three-point attempts unless they are open attempts. The Mercury is second in the WNBA in two-point field goal percentage at 51%. They also are fourth in the league in scoring. If Phoenix can cut down on threes and take more high-percentage shots, it could help their defense. Missed three-pointers lead to long rebounds, which leads to fast break opportunities for the opposing team.
If Phoenix can improve on these three things, they should be able to make the playoffs easily. But unfortunately, it will be no easy feat; they will have to dig deep to get into the playoffs because the teams in front of them are also fighting hard for the playoffs.
