As they approach the WNBA's month-long Olympic hiatus, the defending champion Phoenix Mercury are in last place. In the parity-filled Western Conference, though, they're also one hot stretch away from playoff position.

The Mercury will try to build upon one of their most impressive wins of the season on Sunday when they host the Indiana Fever in both teams' last game prior to the break.

Phoenix (12-14) has struggled this season due to its league-worst defense. The Mercury allow 89.5 points per game, nearly 20 points more on average than the Fever (11-14), who yield just 69.9.

Over the last two games, however, Phoenix has seen its defense take some small steps in the right direction. The Mercury lost 83-74 at Sacramento on Thursday, but that was the fewest points they had allowed since July 1.

Phoenix did even better defensively on Friday, beating Western Conference power Seattle 94-80. It was just the fourth time this season the Mercury had given up 80 points or fewer.

They're now just two games behind Los Angeles for the West's final playoff spot.

Despite the defensive struggles, no one has questioned Phoenix's ability to score. The Mercury average a league-high 89.4 points and feature the WNBA's top two individual scorers, Diana Taurasi (23.8 ppg) and Cappie Pondexter (22.4).

Taurasi had 31 points in Phoenix's win over Seattle, the seventh time this season she scored at least 30.

"She's playing really well," said Pondexter. "We rely a lot on Diana and she doesn't let us down. She can really do everything - pass, shoot, drive, play defense and rebound."

Pondexter, meanwhile, has been struggling recently. She scored a season-low 12 points against the Storm, and is shooting 38.1 percent over her last four games.

The Fever have lost a season-high three straight and five of six overall as they face Phoenix for the first time this season.

Leading scorer Katie Douglas (16.5 ppg) had 23 points while shooting 9-for-17 from the field Saturday at Sacramento, but Indiana saw its skid hit three games with a 70-62 loss.

Despite their recent slump, the Fever currently hold the fourth and final playoff position in the East. All but two of Indiana's players - Olympians Tamika Catchings and Telly Bevilaqua - will have a month off to rest up for the stretch run.

"It'll be nice to sit and breathe for a second," forward Ebony Hoffman said.

Phoenix won both meetings with Indiana in 2007. The teams meet again at Conseco Fieldhouse on Sept. 14.