WNBA: Indiana Fever 67, Mystics 57 (August 18)

WAS: 14-16 (5th in East, 10 behind Connecticut, 4 behind Indiana, 3 behind New York, 0.5 behind Detroit)

The Washington Mystics' tough schedule is getting the better of them, as they dropped their fourth straight game last night, losing to the Indiana Fever, 67-57. The loss puts them in fifth place in the East, which means that the Mystics would be staying home if the playoffs started today.

They are half a game behind Detroit, who plays tonight at Los Angeles.

Last night, Indiana's Tamika Catchings pretyt much single-handedly took down Washington, scoring 23 points, dishing out six assists and grabbing six rebounds, all of which led the team.

Delisha Milton-Jones and Chasity Melvin both scored 20 points for the Mystics, with Melvin also grabbing 10 boards for a double-double. Alana Beard was shut down by the Fever, only managing six points on 2-for-8 shooting.

The Mystics next game is in Detroit, where they will face the team they are trying to overtake for the last playoff spot on Sunday at 5 p.m.

THOUGHTS:
Not good.

Now the Mystics have to sit and watch and hope that Chamique Holdsclaw and the Los Angeles Sparks can knock off Detroit so that Washington will be back in a tie with Detroit for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East.

Sunday's game in Detroit is now a must-win for the Mystics, because a loss would at least put them one game out of the playoffs with three games remaining, and could put them two games back if Detroit wins tonight.

For the Mystics to have any shot at making the playoffs, Alana Beard is going to need to take more than eight shots per game.