Cellar Dwellers.

The Mystics began the game against the Shock this afternoon just as they'd left off on Tuesday against the Storm, with a well-played quarter of basketball that put them ahead, 22-16, after ten minutes.

Unfortunately, the Mystics then reverted to form, pulling what has become all too typical this season -- a disappearing act. They were absent for most of the second 10 minutes, a period in which they did not score a single field goal until there were 8.3 seconds left in the half. That 2-pointer and 4 made free throws gave the Mystics a grand total of 6 points (!!) in the second quarter, sending them to the locker room with Detroit leading 37-28.

The third quarter wasn't much better, as the Mystics scored only 14 points to the Shock's 24. Finally, as they have done repeatedly this season, the Mystics decided to play the last quarter, outscoring Detroit 22-15. But as it has been so many times, the effort was too little too late, and Detroit won, 76-64.

DeLisha Milton-Jones led the Mystics in scoring and rebounding today, with 17 points and 7 boards. But while Dee hit 50% from the floor, the Mystics as a team shot only 33.3%, which typically does not win ball games and did not win one today. Nor does failing to crash the glass or box out. Even though the Shock were playing without the human rebounding machine, Cheryl Ford, they outrebounded the Mystics 49-20, an astonishing disparity. Simply put, it was not a good outing for the Mystics, and the fans left depressed. While the BasketCases had hoped that Tuesday's terrific 45-minute effort against Seattle meant an end to only partially played games, it seems this was not to be.

Before today's game, the Mystics, the Sky, and the Liberty were tied for 4th place in the Eastern Conference. But this afternoon's loss sends the Mystics back to the cellar, alone, with a record of 10-14, while Detroit clinched a playoff berth.