Round 3 Preview: Flames vs Adelaide Lightning

The Flames are looking to maintain their good form over the Lynx and relish the 5-day break they’re coming off as they head into tonight’s clash against the Adelaide Lightning.

Adelaide set the early benchmark by winning their first two games of 2020 but struggled on their return from lockdown, thumped by Deakin Melbourne Boomers by 40 points on Tuesday.

However, the Lightning blew off some rust when they bounced back with an 89-83 triumph over a gutsy Villawood Properties Bendigo Spirit the next night.

Lightning Head Coach  Chris Lucas said the victory was a welcome shot in the arm.

“It was important. We are still not back to full game fitness so to get the result was good for the girls because they went through a pretty tough time (in quarantine),” he said.

“We didn’t train for four, five days (in lockdown). For the first four days we were locked in our rooms.

“It was challenging but I just want to move on.”

The Lightning are now steeling themselves for a hectic season finish after the lockdown forced three of their games to be re-jigged.

Overall the Flames clash begins a run of nine matches in 16 days for Adelaide.

“What everyone is forgetting to mention is that when we came out of quarantine we had only played two games where the other teams had played six or seven,” Lucas said.

“All we can do is handle adversity and that is what we intend to do.”

Adelaide will line up against a Flames outfit (2-4 record) still buzzing from their last start 74-67 win over Perth Lynx on Monday inspired by sharp shooter Funda Nakkasoglu (27 points) and workaholic forward Anneli Maley (20 rebounds).

Flames forward Lauren Scherf said her side knew exactly what to expect from an Adelaide outfit playing catch up on their season.

“They are going to come out firing,” she said.

“They have had that break. They are going to be ready to play.

“They are going to be hungry for the next win – we have to match them.”

Laine Clark is a freelance contributor to WNBL.basketball

Broadcast Details
Adelaide Lightning v Brydens Sydney Uni Flames
Saturday 28 November 2020
At Cairns Pop-Up Arena
4.00pm AEST / 5.00pm AEDT
LIVE on Fox Sports Ch 507, Kayo and the ABC primary channel plus ABC iview