CJ Bruton knows that containing the "monster" that is Andrew Bogut will go a long way to navigating Brisbane through a season-defining weekend.
The Bullets occupy fourth on the NBL ladder and would equal the third-placed Sydney Kings' record of 14-11 with wins against them at home on Friday and away on Sunday.
But with only a two-game buffer separating them from seventh, former Bullets guard-turned assistant Bruton is trying not to think about the flip side of the scenario.
"It's definitely a big weekend; drop two and you can end up wherever (so) we need to take care of our business," he said.
Bogut stands in the way though, averaging 17 points, 9.5 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in the Kings' two defeats of the Bullets in the last month
"He's a monster in the middle, leads the league in a lot of categories (blocks and rebounds)," Bruton said.
"He wasn't the (NBA's) No.1 draft pick for no reason and clearly ... he's a focal point.
"But there's also (Jerome) Randle, Kevin Lisch, Brad Newley.
"Pick your poison on any given night; if those guys hit their straps then you have to change your focus pretty quickly."
Bruton, who won six NBL titles as a player after moving to Australia when his American father signed with the Bullets, is sure his squad can match them.
"Any time we've played the top four we've adjusted and made improvements," he said.
"The way we've recruited, the way we've played across the season and our numbers across board show that we are that team that should be there (in the finals).
"Clearly we've (still) got to get there ... there's five more games for us to get there."
