One year ago, the Phoenix Mercury dethroned the Detroit Shock to win the franchise's first championship. The Mercury now return to the site where they hoisted the championship trophy, hoping to avoid being eliminated from defending it.

Phoenix tries to win its fourth straight game and stay in the hunt for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference on Tuesday when it visits the Shock, who look to continue their pursuit of first place in the East.

The Mercury (15-16) won last season's WNBA title with a 108-92 victory at Detroit in Game 5, but this season has been a struggle.

They dropped their first four games of 2008, and went into the month-long Olympic break after losing three of four. However, Phoenix has since managed to get things turned around. It has won three straight games by an average margin of 14.7 points, including a 99-74 victory over Houston on Sunday.

"I think we feel pretty confident, we're a pretty good road team in the past and we're looking forward to the challenge," Mercury guard Kelly Miller said. "We're looser now and we're playing well together."

While Phoenix is playing better, it might be too little, too late. The Mercury are in fifth place in the West, two games behind fourth-place Sacramento with three to play. A loss to Detroit (19-12), coupled with a Monarchs win over Seattle on Tuesday, would eliminate Phoenix from postseason contention.

Making the road tougher, the Mercury finish the regular season with three straight games on the road, where they've dropped five straight.

Phoenix has also lost three straight regular-season games against the Shock. In their only previous meeting this season on June 14, the Mercury lost 89-79 as their best players had rough games.

Diana Taurasi shot 1-for-13 from the floor and finished with nine points, while 2007 finals MVP Cappie Pondexter shot just 5-for-24 from the field, but finished with 28 points thanks to her 15 free throws.

Taurasi, though, has been at her best lately, averaging 30.3 points during the Mercury's three-game winning streak. She scored 33 on Sunday, tying Lauren Jackson's WNBA career record for 30-point games with 20.

Meanwhile, the Shock are seeking to secure the top seed in the East for the second straight season.

Detroit defeated Washington 84-69 on Saturday - its second straight win and third in four games since the break. The Shock, who won the 2003 and 2006 WNBA titles, are in second place in the conference, one game back of first-place Connecticut and one-half game ahead of third-place New York.

"It was big because we are obviously trying to position ourselves for the playoffs'', said Katie Smith, who had 18 points in the win over Phoenix in June.

Detroit plays its final home game Thursday against the Mystics, then closes the regular season Sunday at New York.