Andrew Gaze won't spare trump Andrew Bogut from the heavy workload needed to heave the Sydney Kings towards their first NBL title in 12 years.
Last week's early exit, when he fouled out against the Adelaide 36ers, aside, the former NBA centre has been the Kings most influential figure in their rise to the top of the table.
He was back to his dominant best in Friday night's 87-81 win on the road against the Brisbane Bullets, adding a team-high 20 points, including an audacious left-handed scoop in the closing minutes to finish off the home side.
Bogut's 36 minutes - seven more than his season average - was a mighty effort.
It was even more remarkable considering the toll his celebrated but injury-affected career has taken on his body.
During the team's warm-up, the 2.13m giant creaked through the series of dynamic exercises while his teammates bounded through theirs.
When it reaches game time, none of that matters as the 34-year-old dominated the paint and forced opponents into second and third options.
"We've got to be careful of that but when you're in the heat of it, I wasn't thinking about Sunday or the next two weeks, I was thinking about winning this game," Gaze said.
"You make those decisions accordingly. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
"If we'd have come up short, they'd have said (to me) 'you dumb bastard, what were you thinking trying to flog the big fella?'
"Tonight we made the right call."
Having fought off another challenger for the playoffs, and perhaps the championship in Brisbane, the Kings dodged a third straight loss.
The confidence-boosting win also breathed new life into the team ahead of Sunday's clash with the Perth Wildcats at Qudos Bank Arena.
Following that assignment, Gaze's men face Brisbane (twice), Melbourne United, the Wildcats and Cairns Taipans in the run to the finals.
"It's (that win) huge. If you look at our schedule, we've got almost every single one of our games left against top four teams," Kings forward Daniel Kickert said.
Games this round involving the Kings, Brisbane (against the Breakers) and Adelaide's trip to Melbourne on Monday will have a significant influence on the shape of the top four.
Gaze expects the Bullets to reach the playoffs after pushing his team in an entertaining, high-quality performance at Boondall.
Forward Cameron Bairstow was an inspiring post presence as he matched Bogut for brute force and finishing touch for most of the game.
"We understand what a tough run we've got and that makes this win on the road really, really special," Gaze said.
