Mystics-Mercury Preview By MATT BECKER STATS Editor
The Washington Mystics earned their first victory in the Pacific Northwest in more than a decade their last time out. They'll look to secure their first win in the desert in a half-dozen years Sunday and send the Phoenix Mercury to their first 0-5 start in franchise history. After beginning the season with three straight home losses, the Mystics won in overtime last Saturday at Connecticut to open a three-game trip. They followed with another overtime victory, beating Seattle 84-82 on Thursday for their first victory at KeyArena since July 2005. The Mystics haven't won in Phoenix since July 2010, losing the last five meetings in Arizona. The Mercury, however, haven't had any success at home this season. Or on the road, either, for that matter. Phoenix dropped to 0-4 for the first time since 2008 and third time in franchise history with Wednesday's 85-78 loss to Minnesota. The Mercury, who went 13-4 at home last season, have opened a four-game homestand with back-to-back defeats and have never started a season 0-3 on their own court. Penny Taylor had 25 points on 3-of-6 shooting from 3-point range Wednesday but the rest of the team was 3 of 17 from beyond the arc. Diana Taurasi misfired on 12 of 15 shots and had seven turnovers for Phoenix, which was again undone by its inability to control the glass. Brittney Griner had two rebounds and four points before fouling out for the Mercury, who are averaging a league-low 29 boards. Phoenix's woes also stem from a porous defense. The Mercury are last in scoring defense (89.5 points per game) and opponent field-goal percentage (46.9) and third in opponent 3-point percentage (33.3). Their struggles on the perimeter spell trouble against the Mystics, who are shooting a league-best 37.8 percent from long range. Ivory Latta made an off-balance 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down late against the Storm and was 3 of 4 from beyond the arc in her season debut. The veteran guard, who had been recovering from surgery for a torn meniscus in her right knee, played 21 minutes off the bench and scored 16 points to join the 3,000-point club. Latta had 24 points in a 71-63 home win over the Mercury on Aug. 28, but scored eight in a 73-53 loss in Phoenix five days later. |