Mystics preview

Eastern Conference semifinals

[1] Indiana Fever (22-12) vs. [4] Washington Mystics (16-18)

MATCHUPS

Point guard

Player, team Ht Wt Skinny

Tully Bevilaqua, Fever 5-7 145 Brings championship experience (’04 with Seattle)

Lindsey Harding, Mystics 5-8 139 True floor general rarely comes off the court

Edge: Mystics

Shooting guard

Player, team Ht Wt Skinny

Katie Douglas, Fever 6-0 165 Smart, lethal scorer when healthy (ankle)

Alana Beard, Mystics 5-11 160 Mystics’ leader also hobbled with ankle injury

Edge: Even

Small forward

Player, team Ht Wt Skinny

Tamika Catchings, Fever 6-1 167 MVP candidate might be best all-around player

Monique Currie, Mystics 6-0 177 Streaky scorer played much better in second half

Edge: Fever

Power forward

Player, team Ht Wt Skinny

Ebony Hoffman, Fever 6-2 215 Powerful rebounder who has touch, too

Crystal Langhorne, Mystics 6-2 190 Reliable scorer and rebounder (six double-doubles)

Edge: Mystics

Center

Player, team Ht Wt Skinny

Tammy Sutton-Brown, Fever 6-4 199 Dominant shot-blocker controls paint

Chasity Melvin, Mystics 6-3 185 Veteran voice in young locker room

Edge: Fever

Bench

FeverSkinny

G Briann January, G Tamecka Dixon, Spell relief for potent starting five F Jessica Moore

Mystics Skinny

G Matee Ajavon, F Marissa Coleman,Counted on for production in fast-paced offense C Nakia Sanford

Edge: Mystics

Coach

Fever: Lin Dunn. Looking to make up for first-round knockout in 2008

Mystics: Julie Plank. Guided Mystics to playoffs in her first year

Edge: Fever

- Mike Fratto