Washington Mystics at Houston Comets
Mystics Aim to Cut Turnovers in Houston
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Who's Blogging  |
Records: Washington 3-7, Houston 3-7.
Where: Reliant Arena.
When: Tonight, 8:30.
TURNOVER TROUBLE: Tree Rollins exhaled and shook his head when the topic was broached after Monday's practice. Even after watching tape from Friday's 64-57 road win over Chicago, he still wasn't sure what exactly was at the root of the poor recognition that led to his team's 22 turnovers against the Sky. The Mystics have begun charting all turnovers committed during practices, down to the most minute drill. Point guard Alana Beard, who recorded a game-high eight turnovers Friday night, believes the team's woes stem from indecisiveness. "We just need to know where we want to go with the ball," she said. Rollins and Beard concurred that part of the problem is the shot clock -- or rather, what to do when it's running down. Rollins said a young group of point guards does not always realize just how long 24 seconds can last. When the shot clock is running down, he would prefer his guards avoid the inclination to rush a pass or to speed up the offense. Instead, he wants them to slow things down, which he believes will translate to better decision-making. Until that mantra sets in, Rollins said his team will "keep drilling, keep drilling, keep drilling." The Mystics hold the second-highest turnover rate in the WNBA at 18.7 per game. The Sacramento Monarchs carry the highest mark with 19.8.
PICK-AND-ROLL TIME: Rollins said he plans to employ plenty of pick-and-rolls against the Comets, noting that Houston struggles to recover off of screens. "I want the guards to turn the corner and get into the gut of the defense," Rollins said. On the flip side, Rollins acknowledged Houston is as effective running the pick-and-roll as it is ineffective defending it. Tina Thompson, who is averaging 17.8 points per game, will be the focal point of the Mystics' defensive efforts, Rollins said. Taj McWilliams-Franklin will shadow Thompson for most of the night.
-- Steve Yanda
