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Sky-Mystics Preview

Jul 17, 2010 - 5:33 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Chicago (10-11) at Washington (12-6), 4:00 p.m. EDT

As the Washington Mystics try to bounce back from their second loss in 10 games, there's nowhere they'd rather be than the Verizon Center.

The Mystics hope for a sixth consecutive home win as they begin a string of three straight in the nation's capital Sunday against the Chicago Sky.

Washington (12-6) had been one of the WNBA's hottest teams before losing 75-67 at New York on Thursday. Even though their four-game winning streak was snapped, the Mystics remain in contention for the top spot in the Eastern Conference - thanks in large part to their 7-1 home record.

Their five-game home winning streak includes a 65-61 overtime triumph over Chicago on June 19, and back-to-back victories over 2009 WNBA finalists Phoenix and Indiana on June 27 and 29.

Crystal Langhorne continues to lead the Mystics' resurgence, averaging 21.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in her last seven games overall. She had 19 points and 10 boards against the Liberty for her eighth double-double.

"She just does whatever we need her to do," Washington coach Julie Plank said. "She is the first one in the gym and the last one to leave. She is totally unselfish and gives our team a lot of confidence."

Chicago (10-11) is also powered by a young interior player, as Sylvia Fowles has posted six double-doubles in her last seven games, averaging 17.3 points and 13.1 rebounds in that stretch.

Fowles was among six Sky players to score at least 10 points in a 80-68 win over Los Angeles on Friday night. She also had 10 rebounds, helping Chicago outrebound the Sparks 39-23 as the team won for the sixth time in nine games.

"The confidence level is going up," Sky coach Steven Key said. "You start to see more smiles. Every now and then they'll make a mistake, but at least it's not two or three mistakes in a row and somebody makes a run.

"It's a confidence boost all the way around when you win."

The Sky have lost their last three trips to Washington, although they pushed the Mystics to the limit last month. Washington's 39-24 rebounding edge may have been the difference, as Fowles was Chicago's only player to grab more than three.

"We gave up 16 offensive rebounds and I think 10 or 11 in the second half," Key said after that game. "We did a very good job of defending them, but we just didn't clean up the play and finish it."