On July 13th, the WNBA regular season match will see the Indiana Fever hosting the Phoenix Mercury.
The Fever currently holds a record of 9 wins and 14 losses, ranking 8th in the league. In their last game, the Fever lost 84-89 to the Mystics. Despite No. 1 draft pick NaLyssa Clarke posting an impressive 29 points and 13 assists with high efficiency, the team fell short due to insufficient support from her teammates; only two other players managed double-digit scoring besides Clarke. The Fever was mostly trailing throughout the game, and although they narrowed the gap to just three points in the final moments, the Mystics secured a crucial offensive rebound that sealed their victory.
This season, the Fever averages 80.7 points per game, placing them mid-table in the league. However, defensively, they concede an average of 87.3 points per game, second-worst in the league. This poor defensive performance is one of the reasons for the Fever’s low ranking. Clarke has been a standout player this season, securing the All-Star vote lead. Currently, she averages 16.7 points, 7.6 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game. Additionally, Mitchell contributes 16.4 points, Boston 13.2 points, and Smith 11.5 points per game.
The Mercury, with a record of 12 wins and 10 losses, ranks 6th in the league. In their previous game, the Mercury defeated the Wings 100-84, extending their winning streak to three games. Four Mercury players scored in double figures during the game, with Cooper tallying 32 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, Griner contributing 23 points, Cloud adding 14 points and 6 assists, and Harper scoring 12 points. The Mercury faced little resistance in the game, boasting a high shooting percentage of 59%, playing with ease and confidence.
With Griner returning to form, the Mercury has steadily improved. This season, the Mercury’s offense averages 83.8 points per game, ranking fourth in the league. However, defensively, the team concedes an average of 84.9 points per game, fourth-worst in the league, which is one reason why the Mercury hasn’t cracked the top four. Offensively, Cooper leads with an average of 23 points per game, Griner adds 19.7 points and 6.7 rebounds, Taurasi scores 16.6 points, and Cloud contributes 12.5 points and 7.7 assists. Their main focus should be on improving their defense.
This match is the second encounter between the teams this season. In their first meeting, the Fever emerged victorious with an 88-82 win. During that game, five Fever players scored in double figures. Conversely, Mercury’s star player Cooper struggled, shooting only 3 out of 15. Therefore, in this game, the Mercury will seek revenge, and Cooper must bounce back to form. From a strength perspective, the Mercury holds the upper hand. However, the Fever has a home record of 5 wins and 5 losses this season, while the Mercury has an away record of 4 wins and 6 losses. It will not be easy for the Mercury to leave the Fever’s home court unscathed.
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