The walls of Paul Goriss' room are still covered in whiteboard paper emblazoned with scout reports and schedules, practice sessions are few and far between, and there is little time to reflect on games with the next often just a day or two away.

Yet the Capitals are relishing the fast turnaround as they look to bounce back from a last-start defeat when they face the Adelaide Lightning at Townsville Stadium on Friday night.

Canberra have four games left in the regular season before they launch a finals campaign with an eye on a third consecutive WNBL championship.

A team meeting was called to let that sink in - time is running out and the reigning champions are determined to make every second count.

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"We've got three weeks together, that's all we've got. We've got to make the most of every opportunity, every game, we've got to continue to get better and keep building," Goriss said.

"There's got to be a good mix of being able to do the right thing, being professional and preparing for games with your rest and recovery. Also it's about not wanting to be boxed up in a hotel room.

"It's a difficult one, it's trying to strike a balance and keep a routine as much as possible. You keep the routine you'd have at home, but being in a different environment. They've been really good.

"I have no doubt at times we've been flat and tired, it has its ups and downs. It's not an easy life to live for any of the teams, players and coaches, that are here living out of a hotel.

"From ours there have been no complaints, no whinging, they're just getting on with the job."

A win over Adelaide could send Canberra back to the top of the WNBL standings alongside the Southside Flyers, who boast an 8-2 record.

A loss could see them slip back to the pack with a raft of teams jostling for places in the top four.

"We've kept the core of our group together which definitely helps, and then we're adding some others. We've got great team chemistry, winning helps, most definitely," Goriss said.

"But also with the kind of people we recruit, they're low maintenance, they come in and work hard. Everyone is getting along well even though we are living at close, tight quarters everyday.

"It's kind of like at home, you see them for practice and team meetings, [assistant coach Kristen Veal] and I are in our rooms doing work.

"We see them when we need to see them, that's the most important thing, giving them their space."

WNBL

Round four: Friday, December 4 - Canberra Capitals v Adelaide Lightning at Townsville Stadium, 6pm.