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THE Bendigo Bank Spirit remain confident they can reach finals despite losing their past two WNBL clashes.
Heading into week 15, the Spirit (12-9) are in fifth position on the league ladder, one win adrift of the South East Queensland Stars (13-8) in fourth.
Such is the tightness at the top of the table that not even wins in the club's final three games against the Adelaide Lightning, Sydney Uni Flames and Canberra Capitals would guarantee a finals berth.
The Spirit will enter all three games favourites to win, with the Lightning in seventh place, Sydney on a five-game losing steak and Canberra winless to date.
That status could change if they are again without MVP candidate Kelsey Griffin.
The two-time WNBL grand final MVP missed last Sunday's 63-75 loss against the Townsville Fire with a hamstring injury.
Assistant coach Andrea Walsh said Griffin was doing everything possible to be back in time for Sunday's clash at Bendigo Stadium, but was no certainty to play.
"She's still obviously doing her rehab everyday - we're hoping she's available but we are not sure yet," she said.
"We'd welcome her back with open arms.
"Even without her last weekend the girls did a good job - some players stepped up and played some more minutes and did a really good job."
Among them was first-year Spirit player Ashleigh Spencer, who played a season-high 10.23 minutes for six points and two rebounds.
Heather Oliver also welcomed some increased court time, with eight points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Spirit will be fighting to keep their season alive against a Lightning team that have displayed much improved form throughout the second half of the season and have won three of their last five games.
With little margin for a loss for the Spirit over the finals two weeks of the regular season, they may be left to rue an earlier season loss to the Lightning in week four.
"That one earlier in the season has definitely come back to hurt us," Walsh said.
"The best thing about it is we are still alive, it's just a matter of taking care of business this weekend and then taking it one game at a time from there.
"Adelaide have got some quality players, but it's a game we just have to win."
In danger of not playing out the season after going into liquidation less than a week ago, South East Queensland has emerged as a serious threat to the Spirit’s chances of qualifying for a fourth consecutive finals series.
The Stars picked up wins on the weekend against Adelaide and the third-placed Perth Lynx.
They have five wins from their last five matches with games against the league’s bottom two clubs Canberra and Melbourne to come.
Walsh said it been a remarkable effort under duress by the Stars.
With losses in two of its last five games, Perth's hold on a finals spot could also be considered shaky.
The Lynx have a road double against Canberra and Sydney Uni this weekend before a final round home encounter against top-placed Townsville.