IF there is one thing we have learned about the Bendigo Bank Spirit this season it is that they are their best with their backs against the walls.
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The Spirit have shown great resilience and character to rebound from defeat and adversity throughout their first 21 games.
Heading into a must-win game at Bendigo Stadium on Sunday against the Adelaide Lightning, that fortitude and mental toughness will be required once more.
The equation for the Spirit is simple - win all three of its remaining games and it could qualify for finals.
The results of other games, such as Friday night's clash between Townsville and Dandenong and Saturday night's encounter between Perth and Sydney Uni, will undoubtedly have a bearing.
With their finals fate not entirely in its own hands, Spirit coach Simon Pritchard said the team had been "backed in to a corner".
But he was adamant that was not necessarily a bad thing.
"One of the characteristics of our girls is they like to be backed into a corner and have pressure on themselves," he said.
"They will respond to that.
"Our girls know that every game is a grand final now – the first game we lose means we are out.
"That's the sort of adversity that fires them up."
The Spirit are facing a nervous wait over the availability of gun forward Kesley Griffin, who missed last week's loss against Townsville.
The two-time WNBL grand final MVP took part an individual training session with the coach on Thursday morning, with Pritchard suggesting her chances of suiting up were 60-40.
Adelaide has its share of injury worries, with guards Mikaela Dombkins, Morgan Yaegar and Alex Ciabbatoni all expected to miss.
American import Joy Burke believed experience among the playing group would count for plenty in the battle to qualify for post-season action.
“We’ve got girls who have played in grand finals, Olympics and world championships,” she said.
“We have players who are very talented and have proven they can play under pressure all through their career.
“This season all the teams have been so even, on any night as we have seen, any team can win.
“It’s just about sticking together and who is bringing the extra effort to win and that’s what it will take.”
Burke, along with guard Heather Oliver and young forward Ashleigh Spencer, are again in line for expanded roles should Griffin miss.
But the former Arizona State centre was mildly confident Griffin would be available against the Lightning.
"Kelesy makes such a great impact. People know her for her point scoring and amazing rebounds - all these things she brings that are on the stat sheet," Burke said.
"But Kelsey is like the glue.
"Her positive energy and leadership and ability to keep us focused on the court were lacking a bit last week."