ROUND 13 PREVIEW
Broadcast Game of the Week
Brydens Sydney Uni Flames vs Jayco Rangers at Brydens Stadium, Sunday, 3pm (Local time)
The Jayco Rangers have lost four games in a row and must win this one in order to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
Their opposition, the Flames, have also lost four in a row but with the possibility of finishing with their worst record in club history, they still have a lot to play for.
The Rangers won the last meeting between the two sides by 33 points with Bec Cole dropping 31 points on 12-14 shooting while their first match-up back in October was a tighter affair as Dandenong prevailed 66-62.
Averaging a career high 18.2 points per game, Cole will face off against her old Melbourne Boomers teammate in Brittany Smart while the match-up between Tahlia Tupaea and Tessa Lavey will also be intriguing.
With four games remaining, Sydney Uni needs to win at least three out of four games in order to avoid setting a new low for season wins and they will be aiming to grab one of those victories for Belinda Snell as she plays her last game at Brydens Stadium.
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2CIJAGK
Broadcast: Fox Sports Channel 503 & SBS Viceland
Live-stats: http://bit.ly/2LTWNQl
Adelaide Lightning vs Brydens Sydney Uni Flames at Titanium Security Arena, Friday, 4:30pm (Local time)
This Friday night features a double-header in the city of churches with the Lightning hitting the court before the Adelaide 36ers follow up in the NBL.
The Lightning continue to roll in the second half of the season, having won seven out of their last eight games and they have the chance to move into third by round’s end if they are successful against the Flames.
These sides met just a fortnight ago and Adelaide prevailed 95-52, setting up the win by holding the Flames to just one field goal in the opening quarter.
Live-stats: http://bit.ly/2CMtXhG
University of Canberra Capitals vs Bendigo Bank Spirit at AIS Arena, Friday, 7pm (Local time)
The red-hot UC Capitals return to the AIS Arena on Friday night where they have won their last five games by an average margin of 31.4 points.
The Spirit have endured a tough second half of the season but showed improvement over the past few weeks by defeating Townsville and losing an overtime thriller to Melbourne last round.
Two of the WNBL’s best big’s in Kelsey Griffin and Becca Tobin are set to face off in the front court with both players sitting in the top four for rebounds in the league and Griffin averaging a double-double.
Tobin has been the anchor for the Spirit and her rim protection will be key to the visitors’ success but at the defensive end, Bendigo must also be wary of Kia Nurse, who is coming off a Player of the Week performance after averaging 29.5 points and hitting 13 three-pointers across two wins.
While Bendigo’s finals chances are slim, they will need to upset the ladder-leaders to keep their playoff dreams alive.
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2F4vTEy
Live-stats: http://bit.ly/2s4rCZj
JCU Townsville Fire vs Jayco Rangers at Townsville Stadium, Friday, 7pm (Local time)
With both the Fire and Rangers owning a 7-10 record, this match-up shapes as a battle to remain in the finals race.
They have only met once this season when Dandenong won by five points as Cole and Betnijah Laney combined for 34 points. The Rangers only own a 3-6 record on the road but Townsville Stadium, normally a fortress for the Fire, has not helped them in 2018/19 as they are only 3-5 at home.
Suzy Batkovic remains without a return date for Townsville but in her absence, Zitina Aokuso impressed last weekend with 15 points off the bench and Darcee Garbin continues her development. Their combination may still be enough to take advantage of Dandenong’s front court with Kayla Pedersen set to play a major role for the visitors.
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2BYWDCF
Live-stats: http://bit.ly/2GR9Seb
Deakin Melbourne Boomers vs Perth Lynx at State Basketball Centre, Friday, 7:30pm (Local time)
The fourth game on Friday night pits the Boomers against the Lynx in an important top-four battle.
Perth need one more win to secure their place in the post-season but while Melbourne are already secure, they are still chasing top spot and will take confidence from a 20-point win over the Lynx in Round 6.
After a strong first-half of the season, Perth have been unconvincing as of late, having won just two of their last six games and the road has been particularly harsh to them, losing their last four in a row by an average margin of 21 points.
Two of the competition’s best imports will hit the court in this clash as well in Asia Taylor (leading the league with 20 points per game) and Lindsay Allen who is coming off arguably the shot of the season when she hit a buzzer-beating three from long distance to force their game into overtime last weekend.
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2CNllaN
Live-stream: https://www.foxsports.com.au/live
Live-stats: http://bit.ly/2CNOpil
Bendigo Bank Spirit vs Perth Lynx at Bendigo Stadium, Sunday, 2pm (Local time)
The Spirit and Lynx will front up for their Sunday afternoon clash with Friday night’s results sure to play a part in how this contest fares. If Bendigo do not get past the Caps, their playoff hopes will be over while Perth may have secured their place in the post-season if they can defeat Melbourne.
The visitors will still be chasing wins though as home-court advantage could play a big role for them in the finals, especially based on their recent road record.
Last time these sides met, Asia Taylor dropped 33 points, nine rebounds, two assists and five steals as the Lynx ran out 18-point victors which sets the challenge for the likes of Nadeen Payne and Marena Whittle to help restrict her influence.
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2R4YxvJ
Live-stats: http://bit.ly/2RavTJS