Escape From Atlanta

The Mystics got a much-needed road win over the cellar-dwelling Dream in Atlanta tonight, 81-75. Although there was a lot of scoring in the game, there wasn't much pace, as the teams combined for 37 turnovers and 42 fouls. The Mystics spent part of the first half and some of the third quarter up by double digits, but almost-perfect free-throw shooting (19 of 20) and some timely threes (not to mention 12 blocked shots for the game) got Atlanta close and kept them there; overall, the lead changed hands 12 times. Late in the game, with the Mystics ahead, the Dream narrowed the gap to one point, but the Mystics were able to hold on and pull out the win.

Mystics team leader Taj McWilliams-Franklin had a double-double, with team highs in points (13) and boards (12). Alana Beard, who was scoreless in the first quarter, finished the game with 12 points. Mo Currie added 11, and Bernice "Ne-Mo" Mosby had a big night off the bench, also putting up 11 points.

(The BasketCases were multi-tasking tonight, watching the nail-biter between New York and LA over on NBA-TV while listening to the Mystics game. The Liberty won that exciting contest in the closing seconds, 69-68.)

The Mystics return to the Phone Booth on Sunday where they will play the Connecticut Sun at 4 PM in the last game before the month-long break for the Olympics. Let's hope some momentum from tonight's "W" carries over to that game.