Sunday, 19 November 2017: MVP candidates Liz Cambage and Suzy Batkovic are hitting top form as the business end of the WNBL season approaches.

The WNBL's biggest drawcards are leading the charge as the serious championship contenders begin to emerge at the halfway mark of the season.

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Defending premiers Sydney Uni Flames opened the round in top spot but the sparkling form of Melbourne Boomers star Liz Cambage and Townsville Fire centre Suzy Batkovic has set up an exciting race for the minor premiership.

Cambage has returned to her dominant best after compiling 32 points and 11 rebounds as the Boomers won every quarter on the way to a 96-66 victory over the struggling Canberra Capitals on Saturday.

Boomers coach Guy Molloy credited his team's improvement in feeding Cambage the ball as a big factor in their current four-match winning streak.

"Once she catches the ball with her feet set and in position, she's almost unguardable," Molloy said.

"And then, pleasingly, with the shooters we have we are starting to knock down our threes, which makes us legit in (the paint) and out."

The bottom-placed Capitals have now crashed to nine straight defeats after opening the season with two wins in the opening round.

Townsville moved above the Flames on the ladder after Batkovic, the league's reigning MVP, collected 24 points and 13 rebounds in leading the Fire to an impressive 101-78 win in Adelaide on Saturday.

Cayla George also racked up a double-double as six players scored in double figures with Townsville's bench players outscoring the Lightning's 43-22.

Former league MVP Abby Bishop (22 points, 10 rebounds) more than held her own against Townsville's strong frontcourt but could not prevent Adelaide's fourth loss in five games.

The Perth Lynx have emerged as finals contenders after knocking off Sydney Uni on Sunday to win their fifth match on the trot.

American import guard Courtney Williams stole the show for the home side with 26 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals in the 83-71 victory, forward Asia Taylor pacing the Flames with 31 points.

The Lynx were coming off their first away win of the season with sharpshooter Sami Whitcomb scoring 22 points in the 83-59 result over the Bendigo Spirit on Friday night.

The Dandenong Rangers were dealt a massive blow during the week after losing Sara Blicavs to a season-ending knee injury but they returned to the winners' list on Sunday with Tessa Lavey and Stephanie Blicavs each scoring 19 points in an 80-70 win over Bendigo in Traralgon.