The Canberra Capitals are hoping a merry Christmas will be the perfect preparation for the WNBL's toughest road trip.
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Plus, the perfect bedding in of life without their most valuable player.
The Capitals flew out to play the Adelaide Lightning and Perth Lynx as part of a 7500-kilometre double header.
They'll face the Lightning in Adelaide on Friday night before heading across the Nullarbor to face Perth on Sunday.
Having trained on Christmas Eve, the Capitals had Wednesday off, before coming back together to prepare for Adelaide on Boxing Day.
Capitals coach Paul Goriss felt the Festive Season would rejuvenate his players for their trip across the country.
"It's always nice to be able to turn off from basketball and turn off from sport, spend it with family during this time," he said.
"I think that was important mentally to be able to have a break away from basketball and away from the rest of the group so they could spend time with family, refresh and rejuvenate for this tough road trip."
They'll be without their co-captain and reigning MVP, Kelsey Griffin.
She sprained her ankle in their loss to the ladder-leading Southside Flyers.
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It's ruled her out for six weeks, but she should be back in time for finals.
She's only missed one game so far, which means the two games in three days will help them better adapt to her absence.
"The more games we're playing without Kelsey the better that we can get ... then we get her back by the end of the regular season in time for play-offs," Goriss said.
"It's going to give more girls the opportunity to keep playing and get them ready for play-offs as well."
Small forward Alex Delaney is one of the players helping cover Griffin's loss.
She felt the road trip was made even tougher by the fact both Adelaide and Perth are locked in a battle for fourth spot on the ladder.
The Lynx are sixth - one win behind fourth-placed Lightning.
"It's a really close group for that fourth spot," Delaney said.
"There's so much talent in the league it's going to be a really tough couple of games for us - especially as they are fighting for wins.
"Everyone wants to beat the reigning champs."
WNBL ROUND 11
Friday: Canberra Capitals v Adelaide Lightning at Adelaide, 7.35pm.
Sunday: Canberra Capitals v Perth Lynx at Perth, 4.05pm.
David Polkinghorne
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
