Only the Ice Cream. Ripley certainly got her birthday ice cream today. But alas, her birthday basketball wishes did not come true, as the Mystics did not beat New York and Shay did not get in the game.
With the Mystics playing to clinch and the Liberty fighting to stay alive in the battle for that last playoff spot, it was an intense, hard-fought game at the Phone Booth. Unfortunately for Mystics fans, New York played one point harder, winning 73-72. The game was close throughout; neither team was ever able to open up a significant lead. Down the stretch, while the fans were holding their breath, the teams were trading baskets and free throws. And while our loyal blog readers know that the BasketCases do not whine about the officiating, there were also some questionable calls and questionable no-calls. Poor officiating is a fact of life in the WNBA, and teams must put themselves in a position where the refs can't affect the outcome. The Mystics were not able to do that tonight. We take nothing away from the Liberty by saying that; they played as though everything were on the line -- which it was -- and they came away with the win.
DeLisha Milton-Jones led all scorers with 21, and Alana Beard's 19 points were also more than those of any New York player. Alas, they just weren't quite enough. But the Mystics are still a half game ahead of New York, and they are not -- we repeat not -- out of the playoffs.
So here are the playoff scenarios. The Mystics, who are now 15-18, play Connecticut on Sunday at the Casino. New York, now 14-18, has two games left -- against Connecticut tomorrow at the Garden, and against the Sky on Sunday, also at the Garden. By losing tonight, the Mystics no longer control their own destiny. Even if they beat the Sun, New York must still lose one of its two remaining games for the Mystics to secure a playoff spot. If both teams win their remaining games, they would have identical 16-18 records, and New York would advance because it holds the head-to-head tie-break over the Mystics. If both teams lose their remaining games, the Mystics would advance. The bottom line is this for Mystics fans: tomorrow, you root for Connecticut, and on Sunday, you root against. Simple.
posted by BasketCases @ 11:29 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
For the first time ever, I briefly - just breiefly - felt a compulsion to throw my beer at ref #13 (the Asian looking one). Hmmm, beer. Maybe that explains the compulsion (haha).
That woman is absolutley the worse ref I've ever seen - and not just this game. The ladies hanged tough, DMJ showed up, and Nakia was a beast when she was in. Curry is starting to frustrate me.
Everyone just KNEW the final shot was going to AB. I wish they had a play for AB to take it and dish down to Nakia in the low block for the last shot. She would have gotten the 2 and/or the foul. But the past is the past (sigh).
#13 is Cameron Inouye, and she has made some questionable calls in the past.
The "Odd Year Jinx" just won't go down without a fight (haha!!)
#13 is Cameron Inouye, and she has made some questionable calls in the past.
The BasketCases read an article some time back on NCAA Sports.com that Cameron Inouye was the fiancee of Bryan Enterline. Anonymous, perhaps that's one of those "questionable calls" you are referring to? *just kidding*
--BC
http://www.ncaasports.com/basketball/womens/results/3795
Saw Coach Frese there w/ her husband- she is very nice! Nice to see her there supporting her former players, Shay in particular (Janel McCarvil (sp?) is the other, I believe).
What's up with the NY coach? She never plays Shay and that, imo, makes her a huge idiot. She sucks and should be fired.
The refs were total garbage. THe officiating in the womens' game (at both the pro and college levels) is absolutely horrible. Still, the mystics shouldn't have let themselves get into a position where the garbage refs could affect the outcome of the game.
Don't you need the Liberty to lose twice to lock up the berth? If the Sun win their remaining games and NY splits. NY and DC are both 15-19.
Don't you need the Liberty to lose twice to lock up the berth? If the Sun win their remaining games and NY splits. NY and DC are both 15-19.
If the Mystics beat the Sun, the Mystics will finish 16-18 and only need NY to lose one. (In other words, NY can win one, lose one, and finish 15-19 and DC will be in IF they beat the Sun.) If NY loses both, DC is in no matter what. If DC loses to the Sun, the Mystics get to the playoff only if NY loses twice.
--BC
I consoled myself after this loss by remembering the beginning of the season. No way did I think we'd even be within sniffing distance of the playoffs. I'll admit it - I lost my faith. But it returned and I have to really let the Mystics know how impressed I am by how they kept battling through it all! Proud of them, no matter what!!!
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