Mystics Looking to Snap Shock's Streak

Discussion Policy

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

Friday, July 11, 2008; Page E02

Mystics at Shock

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Mich.

Records: Mystics 7-11, Detroit 13-6.

Reliable, Dependable Taj

Through her 10 WNBA seasons, forward Taj McWilliams-Franklin has established a reputation as an efficient, unflappable post player. After her game-high 20 points against Indiana on Tuesday, McWilliams-Franklin holds the fourth-highest field goal percentage (54.6 percent) of all players who have started more than seven games this season. She's also 13th in the league with 7.3 rebounds per game. "I'm never overly excited or overly disappointed in offense," McWilliams-Franklin said. "For me it's always about defense, and that second half [against Indiana] we finally trusted each other on defense." Granted, the Mystics defense stood strong against the second-lowest scoring team in the league (71.3 points per game). Only Washington averages fewer points per game with 69.22.

Into the Lion's Den

Detroit remains undefeated at home after defeating Connecticut on Tuesday to move a half-game ahead of the Sun for first place in the East. This is the first meeting of the season between the two teams, but history does not bode well for Washington, which snapped a three-game losing streak against the Fever but holds a 4-7 record against Detroit over the past three seasons. The Shock are 8-2 against Eastern Conference opponents in 2008.

-- Katie Carrera