Preview: Mystics at Dream

Here's your game day post a day early. This game might be a prime opportunity for the Mystics to exorcise some of the demons that have plagued them randomly early on in the season. Philips Arena is the site of their first loss of the year, which was an out-of-focus performance that reminded a few too many people of games a season ago.

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Philips Arena
Stream the game online via LiveAccess by going here and downloading the plugin for Windows or Mac.

What To Watch For

*I would continue to keep an eye on each of the Mystics' amount of playing time. Obviously there needed to be some adjustments after Marissa Coleman suffered her high ankle sprain, but I'm not sure how long Washington can continue to play at it's current pace with a primarily six- or seven-player rotation.

*Veteran center Chasity Melvin had her statistically worst performance of the season in Tuesday's 84-82 win over San Antonio. With just one point and only two rebounds in more than 26 minutes of playing time, Melvin needs to show she can bounce back. Washington will also need her to have a stronger performance against Atlanta and their talented front-court.

Both Melvin and Nakia Sanford have struggled lately, a trend that can't continue for long especially not with the short rotation the Mystics are using.

*Monique Currie had a season-high eight rebounds against the Silver Stars on Tuesday. She may not be putting up the points many expected she might after Coleman's injury, but Currie has provided a strong presence on the defensive glass these past two games with 14 boards.

Coleman Update

As some of you may have seen over on DCBasketCases this morning, Marissa Coleman is indeed walking without crutches. Official word from the Mystics is that the rookie forward is now day-to-day, and has been participating in shooting drills.

The word for a little while now has been that no one expects Coleman to miss what would be a worst-case scenario six weeks of the season, thanks to the work of athletic trainer Navin Hettiarachchi. But they aren't about to rush her back either.

Probable Starters

For Washington: PG Lindsey Harding, G Alana Beard, F Monique Currie, F Nakia Sanford and C Chasity Melvin.

For Atlanta: PG Nikki Teasley, G Iziane Castro Marques, F Sancho Lyttle, F Chamique Holdsclaw, C Erika DeSouza.

By Katie Carrera  |  July 2, 2009; 10:17 AM ET
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Posted by: PurpleFan | July 2, 2009 2:13 PM

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