Mystics at Wings preview: Washington goes for five game win streak

The Washington Mystics (5-2) had a terrific home-stand and won four games in a row to improve to the second best team in the association, just behind the flawless Minnesota Lynx (7-0). But before we have the pleasure of seeing them square off, the Mystics will be taking on the Dallas Wings (3-4) tonight.

Game Info

Where and When: College Park Center, Dallas, Texas. Tuesday, June 6 at 8 P.M. E.T.

Streaming/TV: ESPN 2.

Who’s out?

The Mystics were without the services of Tayler Hill, Natasha Cloud and Asia Taylor last game. They are game time decisions.

Emma Meesseman is still in Ieper, as she and the Belgian Cats get ready to host the Netherlands’ Orange Angels this weekend in a friendly:

The Wings will be without Aerial Powers (hip) and Courtney Paris (knee).

Where are the Mystics ranking?

There are a couple interesting stats that pop out to me regarding the Mystics and where they fall in relationship to the rest of the association.

Namely, that the Mystics are last in converting points off of turnovers, and they are also second best in preventing other teams from scoring points off of turnovers. That is clearly helpful.

Also helpful is the fact that Elena Delle Donne has made 49 free throws through seven games. Only Brittney Griner has made that many and on more attempts. Tayler Hill has chipped in 28-of-32 through six games, and Tianna Hawkins is still perfect, going 12-of-12 in bench minutes.

They are also a smidge behind the Lynx in rebound percentage, and have the fourth highest scoring bench behind the Phoenix Mercury, Indiana Fever and San Antonio Stars.

In crunch time, they have been able to hold off the opposing teams’ charge. Although, we have also seen the team give up an eighteen point lead, like their last win over Atlanta. I never saw any panic, but that was not cute.

The most eye-popping stat I have seen is the fact that the Mystics are shooting 40% overall. WORST in the entire association! This is a team that barely knows each other and is shooting terribly. But, they are leading the Eastern Conference, are second in ranking, and they don’t even have Emma Meesseman! I find that a chilling message to everyone else.

What to look out for

Glory Johnson had 22 points and 13 rebounds in her last outing last Saturday. So nothing has changed regarding her production, she can pop off at any time. Her athleticism speaks for itself, but I am not mad I don’t have to watch her try and plant an elbow in Meesse’s grill this game. That has been a theme I never like.

Skylar Diggins-Smith poured in 17 points, but it wasn’t enough to get the W over the Fever on Saturday. They lost 85-91, so they are definitely doing some scoring. And yes, Diggins-Smith got married last May:

I think it is worth pointing out that though the Mystics are on a hot streak, anyone can beat the Mystics any night. No team is a ‘gimme’, so it is imperative that Washington does win these games that look doable on paper.

There will certainly be some surprises and considering their current penchant for ‘watching’ the ball and the lead go down the drain at any given time, this could be that game.