Master in Apprentice's house: Its going to be another emotional night for both parties as the master goes against the apprentice - this time in the Apprentice's unbeaten fortress - Photo credit to WNBL
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WNBL ROUND 6
Adelaide Lightning vs Melbourne Boomers
When: 3:00pm (ACDT), Sunday 18 December
Where: Adelaide 36ers Arena (Formerly Adelaide/TS Arena – The Lighthouse)
Broadcast: Nine Now
STRIKE BACK IN HISTORY
Boomers bounce Lightning out of 2022 Finals Series
Check out the last time they met in Adelaide in the semi-final match report I wrote earlier this year…
https://wnbl.basketball/adelaide/news/semi-finals-game-2-match-report/
Key Matchups
Kierstan Bell vs Tiffany Mitchell
Just the six points the last time they met but since then Bell has rung alarm bells out to the competition. She’s averaged 17.25 points and seven rebounds – a bonus for a player who came in with a rep of just being shooter. She’s won over fans with her hard work on glass and hustle. She’s a different proposition for the Boomers this time riding on some big time confidence.
Speaking of confident Mitchell is feeling those league MVP vibes right now. She’s #1 in scoring with 22.2 points, #3 in assists with 5.5 and #2 in average two point field goals made. She dropped 23 points, seven assists and six rebounds the last time they met in Melbourne.
Isobel Borlase vs Mia Murray
Borlase had 17 points against the Boomers last time they met. Her dribble penetration and speed gave the Lightning an x-factor in their last matchup. It gives her team a difference and can lift the Lightning into the top teams.
Murray has had a bigger role than anticipated already – due to the late start of Tess Madgen. As reported myself for the Pick and Roll – She immediately brings flow and connection to Lucas’s systems. Every coach has players they know they can recruit and fit right in immediately with no qualms. Murray is that for the Boomers, having slotted straight into the starting five in game one of the season. She’s averaging 11.8 points per game – that’s a tremendous lift from her recent seasons.
Abby Cubillo vs Paige Burrows
Cubillo has been an important foil for Mansfield for the Lightning. In an average of 12.5 minutes per game – she has only 2.7 points and one assist per game but its work at the defensive end when she comes in that can really give the Boomers some trouble.
Never afraid to throw a rookie into the deep end with great trust – Burrows for Lucas has been that one. Last time against the Lightning she played 17 minutes for three points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal. If the Boomers get in trouble at the guard spot again – her number is likely to be called again.
THREE QUESTIONS TO STRIKE ON
What is the Boomers weakness?
Depth at the moment can still be tested but it will require the Lightning to be bold and play extremely physical inside the paint to try and draw foul trouble on George and force Wallace to fight over some screens to send her to the pine.
That then forces Lucas to go deep into his bench with still question marks hanging over the consistency of the “benchies”.
How do the Lightning make sure they “take care of the glass”?
The Lightning were smashed on the glass 48-32 by the Boomers last time they met. The Boomers are actually the 9th ranked team in offensive rebounds so the homeside through the recent form of their imports Monroe and Bell can take the ascendency here and limit the second placed Boomers second chances.
What has made the Boomers so successful so far this season?
Overall they’ve been able to keep their main five on the court. The top five players average 31.5 minutes per game. Thats resulted in holding #1 in field goal percentage with 49.6, 46 percent from beyond the arc and scoring with 86.8 points.
So who wins?
The Boomers have a terrific record on the road having won three but also have their only loss of the season was away in the challenging environment of Townsville. Speaking to a few Lightning players during the week – they know they were oh so close the last time they played at that execution down the stretch is vital if they are to keep an unbeaten record at home.
Today the Lightning can make a move in this competition and correct that – and I genuinely think they can sneak over the line in the chess match of this afternoon.
COD Prediction: Lightning by 2 points
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 