The New Zealand Breakers are heading into the most important weekend of the season with a tough double-header against the Illawarra Hawks on Friday and the Perth Wildcats on Sunday.
The Breakers will need to win at least five of their last six games to make the playoffs without relying on other results going their way and that is something captain Mika Vukona wants to avoid at all costs.
"Every game matters because we can’t afford to drop any and we don’t want to rely on others or mathematics to make the finals," said Vukona.
"The better we can control it, the better it is for the team.
"You never want to be in the position we have put ourselves into."
If the Breakers are to make the playoffs, their new import players Paul Carter and Kevin Dillard will have to continue to produce the goods that have seen the Breakers on a two-game win streak.
Carter is averaging 11 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while Dillard is averaging 21.67 points, 4.67 assists and 3.3 steals per game.
Dillard also hit the game-winning shot against the Brisbane Bullets on the weekend. The win was the Breakers second ever win in Brisbane and has also given the team bucket loads of confidence.
"Kevin is a great guy and has come in and fitted in well and if he can continue to hitting big shots everybody will love him," said Vukona.
"We have had a number of close games this season and not to win those takes the wind out of the sail.
"When we win those close games when everybody has worked hard it builds confidence."
Vukona’s did not participate in Breakers training yesterday but insisted it was nothing to worry about.
"I have a couple of niggles but nothing serious," said Vukona.
"Everything catches up to you eventually and right now it’s about taking care of the body and looking after it."
The Breakers next play the Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong on 20 January.
Newshub.
