The Perth Wildcats are about to embark on the toughest month of their season.
After hosting the Sydney Kings on Friday night, the league leaders will play away to Melbourne United on Monday night in the first of five consecutive away games.
The Perth Arena is not available in late December or early January as it plays host to the Hopman Cup mixed teams tennis event.
After facing United, Perth will play away to the Brisbane Bullets, Illawarra Hawks, Cairns Taipans and New Zealand Breakers before returning to the Arena on January 11 to play the Taipans again.
But coach Trevor Gleeson isn't looking that far ahead.
After beating Cairns by 22 points on Sunday to go to 11-2 they are unbeaten at home plus 4 and 2 on the road, with one of those losses taking place at the Kings last Thursday.
Gleeson was buoyed by knowing the Kings will face a different Wildcats roster on Friday.
Sydney won last Thursday's clash 77-72 but Perth were without Bryce Cotton, who returned to top score with 21 points against the Taipans.
Damian Martin played his first game on Thursday in six weeks and Angus Brandt remains on managed time.
Gleeson said they are starting to tick a lot of boxes.
"It helps when you get your MVP back in the line-up," he said.
"We're happy Damo got through well (against Sydney). He was on reduced minutes. That was a tick in the box.
"We get Bryce back on the court. That's a tick in a box.
"We get our big guys back into a rhythm, with Tom (Jervis) and Gus (Brandt). That's a tick.
"Let me enjoy this one and I'll get my head around Sydney a little later," he said.
