3 Reasons Merkur will win the freedom in the Playoff VNBA VNBA

Dealing with Defense VNBA Champions in the Occration Optic is not an easy task Phoenix Merkur. Even after the defeat of New York Freedom 3-1 in the series of the regular season and the advantages of the court, playoffs are a different beast.

Everyone is 0-0, and everything that happened in the regular season is just about outdated. However, some elements from Mercury and Liberty is a match should intrigue Phoenix’s fans.

There are three different reasons why Mercury could take the ruling champions.

Continuity game in Mercury’s Big 3 vs Liberty’s Big 3

The experience is crucial. And while players on both sides have many championship experience, New York is crazy with injuries during the season.

The same could be said on Mercury, who missed Kahleah Copper and Natasa Mack to open the season. Shortly afterwards, Satou was sabally picked up a long-lasting ankle injury, which passed into a break with all the stars.

Since then, Mercury 3 played 19 games togetherAnd the last 15. This continuity is huge, given the chemistry already in New York.

However, there are some holes in this argument. The Freedom has the experience in the championshipAnd this is the third year Breanne Stewart, Jonkuel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu play together.

They have that advantage over Phoenix, but the latter trio with Satou Saballa, MVP candidate Alissa Thomas, and copper represent some serious problems with matches.

Versatility, defense and true scoring at 3 levels make this setup problem for other teams. For example, Thomas tied a record of Mercury Franchises with 15 assists against freedom early in the season.

The last two weeks Phoenix did not have many injuries. It is not to test their happiness, but to show that consistency is key and can be a difference.

Mercury’s small ball line can negate the size of freedom

At the beginning of the season 2025. The freedom had a lot of magnitude on the front terrain. Jonkuel Jones, Leonie Fiebich, and Niarra are just a few names.

These players are great for their positions, especially Fiebich, which is a 6-foot guard and greater than most attacks. If we didn’t mention, they only got the council when Freedom signed a free Emma Meesseman Agent.

As a result, the Sandi Brondell’s chief coach experimented with a multitude of lines. For example, she played Stewart, Jones and Meesman in the same line.

It was slower composition (Average 96.64 pace, compared to 100.42 per 40 minutes). If that line played the entire season, it would still be the second fastest in the league.

These statistics are impressive to tell at least. But there enters where Phoenik’s attack comes into a small ball.

After Mercury signed Devanna Bonner Earlier in the season, it provides size and record touch from the outside. Phoenix can play a five-time criminal offense when inserted for a cat.

Bonner may not be strong enough to contain Jones or Meeseman inside, but its length represents a problem blocking shell for New York.

Depending on the matches, it is usually closer in the game. Bonner is likely to be there to use the size and keeps the defense glued on the rim.

She has 14 games played with other four starters and is 44 minutes played. Since she joined the middle during the season, it was clear in which direction, Phoenik wanted to close the game.

However, the game slows down on the semi-judgment; It could be a sweeping for New York. On the flip side, if it hesitates its already up-tempo and a transitional attack, it will be difficult to stop.

Hustle Points are huge for both teams

Element Brondello mentioned that freedom is a lack of effort The last time her team and phoenix is ​​square. Even from the press box, there was a lot of chances that New York took control.

Phoenix managed to drag himself thanks in carrying out freedom. Loose balls, players who dived in the crowd and on the floor for coincidence on the second possession are huge.

Also, when someone like Thomas does, it sets the tone for the rest of the team.

However, this is returned to take advantage of New York. That large line with Stewart, Jones and Meesem could be simply too big to go after loose opportunities.

In the playoffs, the little things like those can swing the swing of the game and the series.

Although Brondell mentioned experimentation with different lines, including “Jumbo” setting, now may not be the best time.

For Phoenix could be cheap as ever if the game of your cards should.

Either way, both teams could have the most fun and exciting first series of the first round of all of them. But it is also a chance that Mercury is made by a noise knocking with 2024 VNBA champions.