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Shock-Mystics Preview

Jul 31, 2010 - 4:03 PM By ANDY LEFKOWITZ STATS Editor

Tulsa (4-21) at Washington (14-10), 4:00 p.m. EDT

Lindsey Harding appears to be healthy again, and that's good news for the Washington Mystics as they push for a playoff spot.

Coming off the best game of her career, Harding will try to help the Mystics move closer to the top of the Eastern Conference on Sunday afternoon when they meet the league-worst Tulsa Shock, who will look to avoid their 19th loss in 20 games.

Harding scored a career-high 33 - including the final 13 of the game - in a 77-73 road win over East-leading Indiana on Friday. Slowed recently by a hip injury, she had averaged 7.6 points in six games entering Friday's contest.

"I feel really good and back to normal," said Harding, who shot 11 of 18 from the field and made all nine of her free throw attempts. "We needed a win, and we needed it to start tonight."

With 12.7 points per game, Harding is third on the team behind Crystal Langhorne (17.0) and Monique Currie (14.0). The trio combined for 46 points in a 69-54 win in Tulsa on July 3.

Washington (14-10) is two games behind Indiana and Atlanta, with the Fever leading the Dream by percentage points. All six teams in the East are separated by five games.

The Mystics will be trying to avoid their third straight loss at the Verizon Center before beginning a three-game road trip Tuesday with a matchup against Atlanta.

Tulsa (4-21) saw its latest losing streak reach six after falling 101-85 to Los Angeles on Friday. The Shock have allowed at least 101 points in three of their last four games.

Ivory Latta scored 19 and Scholanda Robinson added 17 for Tulsa. Latta, who rejoined the Shock on July 6 after being waived May 13, is tied with Robinson for the team lead with 11.9 points per game.

"Latta has played so hard," coach Nolan Richardson said. "She is a warrior, and that's what we needed in our ballgame. She has really upped the team morale, especially since we're not winning, so you better have someone who talks the game differently and she does a great job doing that for us."

Tulsa is 2-9 on the road and will play nine of its final 12 away from home.