Southern Huskies accept they will miss the final four weekend in Christchurch, but instead a revitalised side turns its focus to their own grand final of sorts on Friday.
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The return of Craig Moller from the last time Southland Sharks won 93-73 over the visitors and the addition of NBA prospect Harry Froling to the roster balances up the odds ahead of Invercargill.
"Harry Froling is going to make a difference," assistant coach Brett Smith said.
"The last time we played Southland, they pumped us.
"But we didn't have Moller and now we have Moller and Harry. So I think we can go alright against them."
The Launceston-based assistant said back-to-back wins on the club's fourth and last road trip of the year would also cap off a sound New Zealand NBL debut.
"We want to finish the season really strong," Smith said.
"We won't make the four, we'll finish fifth regardless.
"We can determine who finishes where on the ladder.
"If we can just win the last three that would be great."
Smith also rates Saturday's opponents Nelson Giants.
"They're pretty tough trips - there is no doubt about that," Smith said.
"We've done pretty well on the road, but when you play the top four sides on the road that makes it extra difficult."
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
