No. 4 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 5 Phoenix Mercury
Let’s dive in to the WNBA 2020 Playoffs Lynx vs. Mercury Single-Elimination Game.
Minnesota Lynx
Lynx have been one of the most impressive teams that went in to the WNBA bubble. Finishing fourth with a 14-8 record in addition to a Sylvia Fowles and Napheesa Collier frontcourt. However, it is the unpredictability of their players’ availability that made their season challenging. Fowles only played six full games out of the 22. The playmaking of their rookie Crystal Dangerfield and having Odyssey Sims back in their lineup really boosted the Lynx for their success.
Phoenix Mercury
Coming to this game, Mercury is riding newfound confidence in their rotation. Just two days ago, they defeated the Washington Mystics in a thriller game where Shey Peddy shot a buzzer-beater three. In that game, Phoenix did not have any rhythm until the third frame. Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith came alive just on time to salvage their season. Still, with a short-handed bench, Mercury could have a very difficult time in possibly matching up with both Collier and possibly Fowles.
Players to watch
Napheesa Collier and Crystal Dangerfield
One of the best scoring duos in the league, Collier, and Dangerfield would both need a big game for their squad in order to advance to the semi-finals. They are currently averaging 32 points while also leading in assists.
However, it would take more than Collier and Dangerfield for the Lynx to take down Taurasi in an elimination game. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve could pair Fowles with 6’3 Damiris Dantas and 6’1 Napheesa Collier for a frontcourt that might overpower the undersized Mercury with Kia Vaughn and Brianna Turner.
Lynx backcourt could also be boosted by Sims, Bridget Carleton, and Rachel Banham. Banham had a career night in the regular-season finale as she scored 29 points. Their hot shooting could be matched up with shooters from the Mercury.
Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith
Even with a poor shooting start from both Taurasi and Diggins-Smith the other night, there is no denying that they are still as dangerous as ever. In their game versus Washington, they only combined for 14 points in the first half. Ultimately, they came back to score huge buckets in the third to keep the Phoenix in the game getting 23 and 24 points respectively.
With an undersized frontcourt, Vaughn and Turner could take advantage of their versatility in the perimeter. As of late, Vaughn has been tremendous in 12 to 15-foot jumpers on the floor. If she could hit this consistently, it could take the pressure of their backcourt. Moreover, Turner has been very impressive in her defense. She is leading the number of blocks this season averaging two blocks per game.
Prediction
With such a heavy-weight match up, it would really go down to who is the more focused team. As we saw Phoenix’s game the last time out, they started out slow, especially with their offense. Eventually, they got their act together in the second half. However, this is also the trend for Minnesota. They could start out slow but eventually, turn gears in the second half.
Minnesota have been in these kinds of playoffs situations before but we need to take into consideration their lack of experience in the playoffs with this lineup. In addition, if Fowles would not take the court tonight, Taurasi might see this to her advantage to take care of business and get Phoenix through to the next round.
Pick: Phoenix Mercury
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