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Aug 9, 2010 - 5:55 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Connecticut (14-14) at Washington (16-12), 7:00 p.m. EDT

A season-high four-game losing streak damaged the Connecticut Sun's postseason chances. Back-to-back wins over the Washington Mystics would get them into better position to make the playoffs.

The Sun go for the home-and-home sweep as the Mystics try to avoid another loss at the Verizon Center on Tuesday night.

Connecticut (14-14) went on a 24-4 second-half run and defeated Washington 76-67 on Sunday. That ended a four-game skid and moved the Sun within two games of the Mystics (16-12) for the Eastern Conference's fourth and final playoff spot.

"(The Sun) are fighting for their lives, as is everyone in the East," said Mystics coach Julie Plank, whose team trails New York by one game for the third spot. "It definitely showed. But we will be ready. We know we are very capable of beating them."

To do so, Washington will have to do a better job against center Tina Charles, who had 17 points, 14 rebounds and a season-high eight blocks Sunday. She set a WNBA rookie record with her 18th double-double.

"It feels good, but that's something that I'll probably focus on after my career is said and done," said Charles, who leads the WNBA with 12.0 rebounds per game and is one double-double shy of tying Natalie Williams' league mark set in 2000. "(It's) nothing I'm worried about right now with the position that we're in. We have to make it to the playoffs, so that's what I'm worried about."

Charles has averaged 13.8 points and 10.0 boards as the Sun have won three of four versus the Mystics.

Washington, which had a chance to take over first place Friday but lost 85-77 to New York, looks to get back on track following a 1-2 trip. The Mystics, however, have dropped three of five at home since winning seven of their first eight there.

Sparked by Crystal Langhorne's 17 points and career high-tying 16 rebounds, Washington defeated Connecticut 69-65 on May 30 in the teams' only meeting at the Verizon Center in 2010.

Langhorne is averaging team highs of 17.5 points and 9.3 rebounds versus the Sun in 2010.

Connecticut hasn't won two in a row since July 14 and 17. Washington will be trying to avoid a season high-tying three-game skid.