KEY POINTS:
The Auckland Stars will be looking to continue their hot outside shooting form when they host Nelson tonight in a key NBL encounter.
Just one victory separates the third-placed Giants (7-4) and the sixth-placed Stars (7-5) as the battle for the playoffs intensifies.
For the Stars, it is
the first of a run of three crucial home games as they look to cement a playoff berth.
With both sides packed with three-point exponents, tonight's match should be a classic shootout.
The Stars shot a remarkable 15/30 from beyond the arc in last week's morale-boosting 96-81 thrashing of Harbour Heat, with new recruit George Baker leading the way with six from seven.
"I think that surprised everyone but George," Stars coach Kenny Stone said. "I hadn't really seen him shoot that well but he stepped up and played very well."
Dylan Perfect-Tait was also in hot form with five from eight from long range for the Stars, who snapped a three-game losing streak with their upset victory over the fourth-placed Heat (7-5).
The defending-champions Giants have their own cabal of sharpshooters, with veteran Phill Jones and youngsters Chris Daniel and Michael Fitchett all among the league leaders in three-point percentage.
Defensive rebounding would be the key to the Stars overturning their 93-91 round five overtime defeat in Nelson, Stone said.
"They are a very potent offensive side from outside so we've got to be able to defend that and rebound the shots that are missed."
The Stars are at the sharp end of a seven-way battle for the six playoff spots but Stone was upbeat following the return of Casey Frank from holiday and the recruitment of Baker.
"I think we've showed glimpses of what we can do when we are fully healthy and together," he said.
"There are some big games this weekend that will have a real impact on the playoffs. We have to build on what we did last week, get the win and keep moving forward."
Round nine features a host of crunch encounters. Nelson back up tomorrow night against a Heat side hoping to put last week's lifeless display against the Stars behind them, while Waikato and Hawkes Bay also have double headers.
Waikato (9-2) should extend their lead at the top of the table when they visit strugglers Canterbury Rams (3-9) and Otago Nuggets (1-8). Hawkes Bay (6-4) visit playoff-chasing Taranaki (5-5) tonight ahead of a trip to second-placed Wellington (8-4) on Saturday.
The Heat close out the round on Sunday with a trip to Manawatu (3-7).
* Stars forward Dillon Boucher has been officially released from contract with ANBL club Brisbane Bullets. The move clears the way for Boucher to join the Breakers for the forthcoming NBL campaign.