Sydney Kings coach Andrew Gaze admits his struggling outfit needs to win four of their final five games to avoid one of the all-time great NBL implosions.
League leaders for nine of the 14 rounds so far this season, the Kings are now outside the top four for the first time since round one after their most recent loss to New Zealand.
More importantly, they are in real danger of missing the finals for a sixth time in seven years.
"We're well below where we need to be to be considered a legitimate title contender, but the quirky nature of this season is such that we always consider ourselves a chance," Gaze told AAP.
"We're hopeful that we can reverse our form a little bit and get to a situation where we give ourselves a chance because this year, anyone that makes the top four has got to be a chance.
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"We've got a lot of work, we're behind the eight-ball as far as making it to the finals, but if we're good enough to do that, we still consider our season alive and we still have a chance."
Just five games remain in the season, three of them against teams in the top four, including this week's match-up against league-leaders Adelaide.
The 36ers are the only team to have all but secured a spot in the playoffs after winning 12 of their past 13 games, including two against the Kings in round 11.
Making their task more difficult is news injured star Brad Newley has already been ruled out of coming back this week and is unlikely for the following week's game against Brisbane.
Gaze, in his rookie season as head coach, said he didn't need to remind his players of the importance of beginning their climb back up the ladder this week.
"We've got five games and to be guaranteed a spot, you need to win at least four of them. You win three of them, it depends on splits. But I think we need to win four," he said.
"But in all honesty - and I know all the coaches say this - but given our circumstances, we're not looking past the Adelaide 36ers. We want to keep our focus real narrow.
"We don't want to overburden ourselves with his particular game, although we don't need to share with the players the importance of this game."
