Phoenix Mercury vs New York Liberty — Claude betting tip 20 September 2025.

The Phoenix Mercury enter this matchup as home favorites with odds of 1.74, while the New York Liberty are positioned as underdogs at 2.14. This spread suggests a relatively close contest, but the bookmakers clearly favor Phoenix's home court advantage and recent form.

Phoenix Mercury has been building momentum in their recent games, particularly benefiting from their home court at Footprint Center where they've historically performed well. The Mercury's offensive system has been clicking lately, with their veteran leadership providing crucial stability in high-pressure situations. Diana Taurasi's experience in clutch moments cannot be understated, and when combined with Brittney Griner's dominant presence in the paint, Phoenix possesses a formidable inside-outside combination that can exploit various defensive schemes.

New York Liberty brings a well-balanced roster that has shown impressive road resilience throughout the season. Their defensive intensity and ability to force turnovers has been a key factor in their success, particularly against teams that rely heavily on half-court execution. Sabrina Ionescu's playmaking ability and Breanna Stewart's versatility create matchup problems for any opponent, including Phoenix.

The key factor in this matchup lies in pace control and rebounding battles. Phoenix tends to excel when they can establish their rhythm early and control the tempo through their veteran savvy. The Mercury's home court advantage becomes amplified in September games where playoff positioning matters, creating an atmosphere that can rattle visiting teams.

While New York has the talent to compete anywhere, Phoenix's combination of home court advantage, recent form, and the urgency of late-season positioning gives them the edge. The 1.74 odds provide reasonable value for a home favorite that should control this game's crucial moments.