Coach Dean Demopoulos says Melbourne United will be coming up against a genuine basketball dynasty in the NBL semi-finals.
The playoffs tip off on Thursday night at Hisense Arena, with the minor premiers hosting the New Zealand Breakers in game one of their three-match series.
The Breakers have stormed into the post-season action on a five-game winning streak, including two victories over Melbourne in the past week after United had already secured the minor premiership.
The Breakers are the dominant team in recent NBL history, having won four of the past five titles.
They have also won their past nine playoff games, their past eight playoff series and their past four post-season matches on the road.
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"I like the way we've played all year, irrespective of the rebounding not being so good, these guys have competed as well, if not better than anyone else here, so why would I feel anything but confident?" said Demopoulos.
"We're excited as hell to have the opportunity to play against a dynasty.
"Four out of five (championships) where I come from is a dynasty, that doesn't happen very often."
The Breakers will be strengthened by the return of leading scorer Corey Webster, whose wife gave birth to their first son on Tuesday.
"Now they have to plan for a little bit of the unknown, how we're going to structure it a little bit differently when (Corey) comes in," said Breakers coach Dean Vickerman.
"We've got quite a few people they have to worry about right now."
Breakers centre Alex Pledger also expects to suit up despite battling a mystery virus last weekend.
Game two is in Auckland on Thursday night, with game three - if required - back in Melbourne on February 26.
