Bullets on a roll and keen to keep firing

ON the surface, the numbers make Brisbane’s task against reigning NBL champions Perth in Perth today look akin to “Mission Impossible”.

But do not tell Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis that.

The Wildcats have won 13 of their last 14 home games at the Perth Arena.

Perth have also won their last four matches against Brisbane and currently sit on top of the NBL ladder with a league-best five-match winning streak as they gun for a hat-trick of titles.

And the Bullets will be on the second leg of a marathon road double-header after beating the Taipans in Cairns on Thursday night, while this will be Perth’s only outing for Round 10.

Despite the daunting combination of a quick turnaround with a long haul flight and topshelf opposition, Lemanis says Brisbane (6-8) have embraced the challenge after winning three of their last four games to move to sixth on the ladder.

“I feel like we are in a good spot,’’ Lemanis said.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to go into Perth and play well and get after them. If we can beat them on their home floor that will really keep our roll going.

“We are heading in the right direction. We just need to maintain belief and unity as a group … it comes around your way if you maintain the belief.

“Over the last maybe, six games now, we’ve actually played pretty well.’’

Lemanis said the heavy away game schedule in December had been a blessing in disguise for the Bullets, who have stayed in touch with the top four.

“We are in the middle of a pretty decent road stretch and we’ve got some good travel coming ahead,’’ he said.

“I’ve actually really enjoyed it because I think its unifies us as a group, it’s given us a chance to spend a bit more time together and get to know each other a little bit better and overcome some adversity. “We are growing as a group. “It’s a tight league, an unbelievably close and tight league and I think it’s (the race for playoff berths) going to come right down to the wire.’’

Brisbane beat the Wildcats on their home floor last season with the 15-point margin in the December 1 clash remaining Perth’s biggest ever loss at the Perth Arena across 90 games.