Canterbury Rams' coach Mark Dickel has described Sunday's game against the Super City Rangers as season-defining.
Fifth-placed Canterbury [7-6] are scrapping for a National Basketball League top four finals berth, with just five games remaining.
The clash against the Rangers in South Auckland is a pivotal one for both teams.
Super City sit fourth with an 8-5 record and the Rams desperately need to beat them to make up ground.
Lose to the Rangers and Canterbury can probably wave goodbye to their finals hopes.
"The logistics, maths, everything points in the direction that the person that wins has a good chance to make it," Dickel said.
"So, that's completely our season, that game. They understand what's at stake."
Super City beat the Rams 86-76 in Christchurch on May 2, with Australian import duo Jason Cadee and Tom Garlepp combining for 41 of the Rangers' points.
At the start of the season, the Rangers were tipped as the team to beat, but have been inconsistent with their play.
They possess several NBL veterans in Dillon Boucher, Casey Frank and Puke Lenden.
Canterbury overcame winless Taranaki 84-80 in their last game, coming back from a dreadful start, where they trailed 16-0.
Dickel was pleased with the team's tenacity to haul themselves back, but was disappointed they allowed themselves to fall behind by so many.
"We had no awareness how important that game was for us. That was why it was relatively frustrating.
"It's just against teams with a little bit more talent, we're going to be in trouble if we play that way."
Experienced point guard Jeremy Kench will travel with the team after being restricted to only five minutes against Taranaki, due to his ongoing knee problems.
With the season winding down, Dickel said Kench would have to play through the pain.
Cashmere High schoolboy Joe Cook-Green did a tremendous job filling in for Kench, contributing 10 points, four rebounds and three assists in the Taranaki win.
He was the spark off the bench, the team badly needed.
"I've got complete faith in him. He's more than capable. Now, he gets more of an opportunity every game and I just hope he takes every opportunity," Dickel said.
American imports Mickell Gladness and Jermaine Taylor had their most productive outings of the season against Taranaki.
They will need to again lead the way if the Rams are to beat Super City.
Gladness equalled the NBL's shot blocking record for a game with seven, while also contributing 17 rebounds and 11 points.
Fellow former NBA player Taylor took on greater scoring responsibility, adding 25 points and eight rebounds.
Dickel believed Gladness could still be a stronger offensive force.
"I've been thrilled with how Mickell has played the whole season. I'd just like to see him trust himself a bit more offensively. He should probably take a few more shots."
Schoolboy centre Sam Timmins is again out for Sunday's game, due to his commitments with the New Zealand under-18 3x3 team in Hungary.
Tipoff is at 3pm.
Rams' travelling 10: Ethan Rusbatch (c), Marques Whippy (c), Jeremy Kench, Jermaine Taylor, Mickell Gladness, Richie Edwards, Gareth Dawson, Tony Tolovae, Joe Cook-Green, Taylor Britt.
