Thanks to the Mystics' slow start this season, practically every game now is a must win if they want to make the playoffs. There's nothing quite like that to focus a team's attention, and indeed the Mystics were totally focused this weekend, playing games against the two teams they are battling for the final playoff spot. After beating the Liberty on Friday night, the Mystics faced the Sky this afternoon at the Verizon Center, and notched another crucial win, 71-66.
In a game that was close through most of the 40 minutes, the Mystics' All Stars, DeLisha and Alana, shined -- scoring 20 and 18 points, respectively. DeLisha, who played all 40 minutes, added 10 boards for a double-double, and also dished out 6 assists. But the Mystics' bench was the real difference-maker today, as Coco Miller, with 16 points, outscored the Sky's entire bench (15 points) single handedly. And rookie Gillian Goring, in a little more than 7 minutes of playing time, had a huge block, 4 rebounds, and 4 points, and was a major contributor to the Mystics' victory.
Today's win moved the Mystics into fourth place in the East, a game in front of Chicago. Unfortunately, the Mystics have a tough road ahead, as they leave tomorrow morning at 8am for a four-game west coast swing, playing San Antonio on Tuesday, L.A. on Thursday, Seattle on Saturday, finishing with a back-to-back against Sacramento on Sunday. Whew.
It's always fun to watch the Mystics win, and they did it this afternoon in front of two former teammates, and against two former teammates. In other words, for those without calculators, there were four former Mystics in the house.
The legendary Vicky Bullett
The always sweet, and still striking, Annie Burgess
ESPN broadcaster Stacey Dales
Chas was back as well
posted by BasketCases @ 7:58 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
You gonna tell us what you and Linda were chatting about?
Huh? Pleeeeease???
Will someone in the know please explain the purpose/function of the tape arrangement on Alana's left shoulder? The sleeve is gone, replaced by tan and black tape that looks specially designed to do....somehting. What's up?
Goring was GREAT - flashes of brilliance. Love the big girls!
Go CoCo! After not playing against the Liberty Friday, she came back big. It would have been sweeter if she had made all her 3 point shots...
The tape on alana's shoulder is a technique called kinesio taping.
Try www.kinesiotaping.com or google "Kinesio taping" for how it works, if you're interested. It's no secret she's had shoulder issues since the start of the season, so I'm not surprised that she has the training staff trying all kinds of treatment.
To answer the first question: Linda walks around the arena before every game talking to many fans (not just world famous bloggers. LOL). In our opinion, she's one of the most fan-friendly and accessible GMs in the league.
Evan: thanks for letting us all know about Alana's new shoulder taping. Many folks aren't aware just how many hours a day she's been putting in on rehab, in addition to practice, games, and travel, just so she could play this season. She's a real warrior!
--- BC
Stacey had an off night shooting (1 for 12, I believe). I wonder if the spectator shouts of "traitor" and "liar, liar" had some effect.
Unless I missed something, this is the first time Stacey has shown up at the booth since she went to the sky.
This is the second game in a row I had to miss. The good news is that I'm in NY and saw the Color Purple last night (Fantasia was fantastic). I listened to the game on the radio, and it sound as though DMJ got most of her points from 12 feet in. She needs to keep working on the inside and then slowly moving it out 'till she gets her grove back. Coco sounded like 2002 Coco. What is up with Curry? She seems to play out of control to me.
GREAT game, ladies.
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