Open Thread: Three Games for Tuesday, starting at 7:00 PM ET

1. Washington Mystics (14-17) at Indiana Fever (15-16), 7:00 PM ET

The Mystics have lost two in a row, and the Fever has won two in a row. Also now, the Mystics at best will be a .500 team if they win out so I doubt Mike Thibault wins Coach of the Year. If the Mystics win, they will make next Sunday's game vs. the Liberty a moot point.

For your viewing, here's Mike Thibault's last press conference, where he was visibly frustrated and also has noted many of the things that I in particular have noted as necessary ingredients in order for this team to amount to anything. They need superstars, Team USA Olympians, and a young nucleus of multiple draft lottery picks. He also noted that the Mystics are "outmanned at times," which I don't find to be surprising during any game, because let's face it. This team doesn't have that talent right now and it's very, very, very hard to get that talent without lottery picks.

2. Phoenix Mercury (16-13) at New York Liberty (11-20), 7:00 PM ET

The Mystics will be counting on the Mercury beating the Libs so they can "play freer." But watching the Mystics lose two games in a row, including last Friday to the Sun should provide New York some more incentive to win this game, which is also the home season finale. Should the Mystics lose and the Libs win, we are one full game closer to next Sunday's game being called "The Treadmill Bowl."

But if the Libs lose, next Sunday's game is just next Sunday's game because the Mystics will be playoff bound by then.

3. Minnesota Lynx (24-7) at Seattle Storm (15-16), 10:00 PM ET

The Storm must win out to finish with a record above .500. Also, tonight would match last year's win total WITH Sue Bird. The Lynx goes for the sweep.

That's all I have on my plate here, so enjoy the games. I SO HOPE THAT I WON'T BE WRITING ABOUT THE 2013 TREADMILL BOWL!