The Phoenix Mercury will play their fifth games of the 2011 WNBA season and it's the fourth time they've been on TV. Not bad. They will get a chance to avenge their home loss to the San Antonio Silver Stars from last week that saw them blow a 14-point half time lead.
The pick and roll defense against point guard Becky Hammon will need to be much better than it was in the second half of that game where they seemed confused in their rotations by the variety of ways they tried to stop Hammon. They tried trapping, switching, and single coverage going over and under the screen. Even though Hammon only his one three in the game, she was able to pick apart the Mercury defense with her passing.
The Mercury will also need to be much better prepared for rookies Danielle Adams and Danielle Robinson who both change the game in very different ways. Adams with her size, rebounding and outside shooting and Robinson with her blazing speed off the dribble that caused all kinds of havoc in transition. Transition defense for the Mercury has been spotty at best.
The Mercury have gotten solid production from Candice Dupree who recorded three-straight double-doubles in her last three games and set a franchise record with 18 rebounds on Sunday. Diana Taurasi dropped 32 points in the team's first win of the season and vowed after the game to continue being aggressive and looking for her shot.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN 2 at 5:00 p.m. Arizona time.