Wollongong Hawks are walking a semi-finals tightrope after Friday night's 84-65 shellacking from Melbourne.
With seven games to play, the Hawks (11-10) remain fourth on the NBL ladder, a position they would have happily accepted at the start of the season.
"We're still in a pretty good place because if you'd said before the season started that we'd be where we are now, we probably would've taken it," Wollongong enforcer Dave Gruber said.
Full coverage of the Wollongong Hawks "We've known since the start of the season that it was going to be one long dogfight, and I've never experienced anything like this where the competition is just so even.
"Even when we were on top there for a while, we never got too excited, just like we don't get too down after a loss.
"You always want more wins than you've got, but we're still in fourth spot and our confidence hasn't been shaken at all by the loss to the Tigers."
Four of those seven remaining games are on Wollongong's home court, starting with Saturday night's meeting with Gold Coast (12-8).
They host Townsville (12-8) on January 20 before locking horns with the Crocodiles in a rematch two days later in Townsville.
The Hawks have 13 days off until their next game against the Breakers in New Zealand, which is followed by another home clash with Gold Coast on February 6.
Wollongong wrap up the regular season with back-to-back games against Melbourne (home) and Adelaide (away).
Three victories might be enough to steal fourth spot, but the Hawks would virtually assure themselves of a finals berth if they finish with at least 15 wins.
"We're confident we can take anyone, anytime at home," Gruber said.
Indeed, the Hawks are 9-1 at WIN Entertainment Centre and their followers have a sense of belief and optimism which hasn't surfaced for four years.
"We love playing at home. Our crowds have been exceptional," Gruber said.
"We've got eight days to get ourselves fresh and work (new signing) Luke Martin into the system, and hopefully we'll come out and give Gold Coast a little payback after they beat us in two close games on their court."
The Hawks started well against Melbourne, building a 19-15 lead with three minutes left in the opening quarter.
But the home side took control with a 16-0 run and Wollongong never got within striking distance over the final three periods.
Tigers forward Julius Hodge (20 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals, two blocks) was in sublime touch, Darryl Corletto had 15 points off the bench and Mark Worthington finished with 14.
The Hawks hit just 34 per cent of their shots, 56 per cent of their free throws and 25 per cent of their three-point attempts.
Centre Larry Davidson was the shining light with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Gruber and Cam Tragardh combined for 21 points and 10 rebounds.
"We allowed them to get get going and get their confidence up on their home floor," Gruber said.
"We gave up too many second-chance (scoring) opportunities and that's something we'll have to do a better job of against Gold Coast because they're a good rebounding team."
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