The New Zealand Breakers' six-game slump has steeled them for a bid at another NBL title, says assistant coach Paul Henare.
A home and away showdown with league leaders Melbourne United in the space of three days closes the regular season for a fourth-placed Breakers side who have emerged from their inexplicable malaise.
However, successive wins over the Adelaide 36ers and Cairns Taipans last week doesn't yet guarantee the defending champions a play-off spot.
They share the same 14-12 record as fifth-placed Adelaide, whose closing schedule is just as taxing.
The 36ers are away to third-placed Illawarra and second-placed Perth, with both games coming in the immediate wake of the Breakers' two Melbourne clashes.
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Henare has faith in his experienced team to steer a path to the finals, where they would seek a fifth title in six seasons.
"We've got so many veteran guys, multiple-championship winners on this team, so they know what it's all about," he said.
"It's about the practice floor and in the down time taking care of the little injuries.
"We feel confident in how we're playing now and we're also probably as healthy as we've been all year, which helps."
Henare says the January slump had the perverse effect of making his side a more potent outfit heading into Friday's game in Auckland.
The pressure of successive losses had forced the playing and coaching staff to air some home truths.
"Through the losing streak is how we came together as a group. Through those tough times we trusted what we were doing. The guys had the trust in the staff and vice versa," he said.
"We knew we'd come through the other side and we're starting to see the results of that."
Henare is wary of Melbourne's multiple outside shooting threat.
However, Breakers guards Cedric Jackson and Corey Webster were dominant in their two wins last week, allied with a general stiffening of the defence.
They are 1-1 this season with Melbourne, having won 80-69 in Auckland in November, two-weeks after a controversial 87-86 loss across the Tasman.
