Sydney Flames coach Cheryl Chambers is stiffening her team's defence for a do-or-die onslaught from Dandenong Rangers after taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three WNBL grand final series.
The Flames are contesting the grand final for the first time since 2008 and shooting for the club's first championship in 16 years after chalking up a 91-82 home win on Saturday night.
Despite claiming the minor premiership and sweeping reigning champions Townsville 2-0 in the semi-finals, Sydney are up against a Dandenong team that hasn't missed the playoffs for six years and is desperate to claim a first crown since 2012.
The Flames trailed by five in the third quarter of game one before fighting back and out-playing the Rangers in the closing minutes.
Chambers will make adjustments to keep Dandenong coach Larissa Anderson guessing.
"We'll tweak a few little offensive things. They went with a small lineup which we took advantage of at times and I think we can do that again," Chambers said.
"They're a quality team and they've been together a long time. We'll have to go into enemy territory and play a lot better defence than we did tonight."
Both teams created open space for shots, particularly in the first half.
"I was surprised it was like that because most finals games are really physical and defensive," Chambers said.
"It doesn't surprise me that we play well in close games like that because we've been in that position a lot and I have full confidence in all our players. Game two will be a pressure cooker."
The Rangers are relishing being back on their home court for game two.
"Overall we did a pretty good job but we went through a few patches where we weren't executing like I know that we can," Anderson said.
"It's a three-game series and it gives us a chance to respond at home. I don't think there's a whole lot of adjustments that need to be made. I know our girls will give it absolutely everything like they did tonight and leave it all out there."
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