WNBA playoffs: How the Mercury’s defense shut down the Liberty and what it means for winner-take-all Game 3
After a dramatic victory in overtime in match 1, the New York Liberty title champion returned home to the Barclays Center – where they had 17-5 in the regular season – with a chance to sweep the Phoenix Mercury in their first round series and qualify for the semi -finals. Instead, they were rolled and suffered their worst loss of playoffs in the history of the franchise.
The mercury checked all aspects of the game, but was particularly dominant defensively on the way to an 86-60 victory, which equalized the series at 1-1 and forced a decisive match in Phoenix on Friday evening.
“When you want to win and know what to do, I think you just do the little things,” said Kahleah Copper. “We knew that it was our defense. This is something that we can control, so we were proud of that and that we are just a dog.”
The Liberty fired 30.2% from the field, returned the ball more than 16 times and has not succeeded more than 13 points in none of the last three quarters. After making 10 shots in the first quarter, the Liberty only made the rest of the match as nine as they recorded their percentage of goals on the lowest field of the season.
“They entered and embarrassed us on our field,” said Breanna Stewart. “Now we have to go back for match 3. The winner takes everything. If we are not ready for that, then we should not be here.”
How did mercury closed freedom, and what does it mean for match 3? Let’s take a closer look, as well as a level of concern for each problem.
Hobbled Stewart a non-factor
In the midst of extra time in match 1, Breanna Stewart led the basic line for a hard and one, but immediately caught her knee to landing. She hampered a few goods before checking for good with 2:07 to play. Stewart revealed that she had been diagnosed with a MCL sprain in its left knee But would play in match 2.
Stewart’s tenacity and desire to compete with his teammates were admirable, but she was a shell of herself and it is just to wonder if she should have been there. It was limited to 20 minutes, only achieved six points, two rebounds and two assists and made more turnarounds (three) than baskets (two).
Stewart did not have her usual elevator on the sweaters and had trouble arriving where she wanted to go to records.
“Obviously, it’s a very physical team, they were really physical,” said Liberty Sandy Brondello coach. “Stewie is hard and she did what she could there. Physics was difficult for her. We know she will answer and it was good not to overcome her.”
Liberty will now have to travel across the country for Friday’s match, which takes place in less than 48 hours. It is difficult to imagine that Stewart will be much better by then. If anything, it is possible that playing in match 2 and traveling can worsen your knee.
“I was not where I wanted to be today,” said Stewart. “And I have 48 hours to understand it.”
If Stewart will not be able to give freedom anything, even close to his usual production in match 3, this is a major problem for reigning champions.
Concern for game 3: high
No way to painting
Liberty is mainly a jump shooting team and finished ninth in the league in points of painting per game (34.5) during the regular season. Even according to their standards, Tuesday evening, Tuesday evening was a terrible projection. They were 11 out of 32 (34.4%) on painting attempts and the 22 points in the painting were their third higher match this season.
Almost every time the Liberty tried to go to the basket in match 2, the Mercury dissuaded them, either with a strong defending defense, or a well-timed help.
“We are such a powerful team offensively and tonight they were able to freeze us and do things,” said Jonquel Jones. “We just have to do a better work of execution and to be able to find where the openings and ways are to exploit them in attack.”
The inability of Liberty to obtain journeys in a straight line in the basket also had a major impact on their 3 -point attack. Even if freedom does not mark a ton in painting, they like to drive and collapse the defense so that they can spray the ball in their group of shooters. They finished second in the percentage league of 3 points (35.5%) this season, but drew 6 out of 26 in match 2.
During the last three quarters, the Liberty went 3 out of 19 of the Arc. Only one of these attempts came after a touch of painting, and this example alone is a generous call on the place where the foot of Leonie Fiebich landed after catching the ball on a cup. A touch of paint does not guarantee a good blow, but it generally means that you move the defense and move the ball.
Even in match 1, which they won, freedom seemed embarrassed by the physics of Mercury. Alyssa Thomas and the company will only be for a winner 3 match at home. Freedom must find a way to enter painting, either to mark or create open plans, but it will not be easy, especially with injured Stewart.
Concern for game 3: high to high
Too many turnover
Freedom was subject to turnover all season. Their turnover rate of 17.3% ranked seventh in the League and had seven games with more than 20 reversals. Too often, they are sloppy with the ball and breach with their passes. These are particularly bad features to have when they face the mercury.
Phoenix was tied in the third place in the league in interception per game (7.8) and boasted of the fourth best rate of adversaries’ rotation (18.9%) this season. From top to bottom of the list, they have difficult physical defenders who like to dig on the discs, skip passage and take advantage of any momentary decline in concentration.
On many occasions, this series, freedom has been the victim of their own negligence or the opportunistic approach to Mercury. It was true Wednesday when they returned it more than 15 times, which led to 25 points for the Mercury.
During the first two games, the Liberty committed 36 reversals, which the Mercury, which excels in transition, turned into 40 points. The more freedom returns the ball, the more difficult it is for them to score, the easier it is for Mercury to score.
“The defense was our business card all year round,” said Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts. “Hope is that when you enter the playoffs, you get started.
It is difficult to imagine New York suddenly solving its turnover problems in an essential match 3 on the road while his best player is far from 100%. If the Liberty manages to take care of the ball on Friday, however, they will have a great chance to win.
Concern for game 3: high
