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Sky-Mystics Preview

Jun 18, 2010 - 5:46 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Chicago (4-7) at Washington (6-4), 7:00 p.m. EDT

Thanks to Monique Currie, the Washington Mystics are beginning to get into a groove offensively. A matchup with the last-place Chicago Sky may only help continue that success.

The Mystics will try to equal their longest winning streak of the season as they look to take advantage of a porous Sky defense Saturday night.

Washington (6-4) has won consecutive games for the first time since opening the season with three victories. A newfound confidence on offense has led the way for the Mystics, who are averaging 88.5 points over their last two games after posting 75.0 over their first eight.

"I'm really proud of our team in back-to-back wins," coach Julie Plank said. "I want to continue to get better and better. I think we have worked on execution, moving the ball better and putting some different sets in."

Washington began its surge with a 95-78 victory over Chicago (4-7) on June 11, getting 22 points and five assists from Currie. The following day, Currie had 20 points, six steals and four assists to lead the Mystics to an 82-65 victory over New York.

The sixth-year forward is averaging 17.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from 3-point range. Last season, she averaged a career-worst 8.2 points.

Currie is joined in the frontcourt by Crystal Langhorne, who is averaging 14.7 points and 9.1 rebounds. Langhorne, though, was held to six points versus the Sky last week.

Washington shot 61.7 percent (37 for 60) from the floor and 64.3 percent (9 for 14) from beyond the arc in that game. Chicago, meanwhile, has remained in a defensive rut.

The Sky lost the final three games of a four-game homestand, surrendering an average of 91.0 points during the skid. Chicago allowed 68.4 points per game over its previous five contests, winning four.

Poor play has left Chicago in the Eastern Conference cellar, 4 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta.

"I'm frustrated, but then again you just have to let it go," center Sylvia Fowles said. "I try not to hold things in as much this year - go back at it at practice, learn from our mistakes and get ready for our next opponent."

She had 24 points in the Sky's 93-86 loss to the Dream on Tuesday. Fowles, averaging 19.7 points, scored 23 against the Mystics.

Another bright spot against Atlanta was Jia Perkins. The veteran guard has set season highs in scoring the past two games, posting 25 points against the Dream after a 19-point performance versus the Mystics.

Perkins was held to an average of 8.3 points over her previous three contests.