Consigned to being Australian NBL party poopers, the New Zealand Breakers can help condemn the Townsville Crocodiles to the ranks of competition also-rans tonight.
Out of contention for the play-offs, the Breakers can seriously dent the Crocodiles' chances at the Swamp in the first leg of a potentially horror four-game road
trip.
The Crocodiles have been buoyed by a last-start win over the eighth-placed Perth Wildcats but need to maintain their momentum during this weekend's doubleheader to supplant the West Australians as the last qualifier.
Sitting ninth with an eight-win, 15-loss record, back-to-back victories could put them right back in the frame if Perth (12-15), Brisbane (12-13) and Hunter (12-13) falter.
However, losses to the Breakers and Cairns Taipans - tomorrow night - could all but end the Crocodiles' season.
They have not strung together back-to-back wins since September and coach Ian Stacker said a repeat effort was long overdue.
"I think for us right now, to string a couple of wins together would be a huge step," he said.
"It may not seem like much, but I know from past teams when we have had the opportunity to get a couple of wins, it has a snowball effect.
"Day-to-day practice becomes more enjoyable, the general feel amongst the fans is better, so it is crucial for us to get two."
Although the Breakers are coming off a 23-point loss to the Hunter Pirates which ended their own two-match winning streak, Stacker said his side did not expect an easy outing.
"They got beaten convincingly last week, but one thing that seems to have become a trend this season is that when a team gets beaten convincingly, they win their next game."
The Breakers face the Wildcats on Sunday and also the Adelaide 36ers and Brisbane Bullets before ending a 15,000km journey tomorrow week.
- NZPA