Immediately after the Breakers' saw certain victory snatched from their grasp in Melbourne, a clear message emerged from the camp.
The contentious - and incorrect - call that denied the defending champions was to be used as fuel for future contests, creating a new stream of motivation that would simmer below the surface until the appropriate moment.
That moment may arrive at Vector Arena tomorrow afternoon, when the Breakers will meet Melbourne and receive a shot at revenge just two weeks after they were left so aggrieved.
The teams have trended in opposite directions since that flashpoint a fortnight ago, when Corey Webster was whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul on Chris Goulding and Melbourne sneaked away with a one-point win.
After the Australian NBL apologised, stood down the officials involved and altered the replay rules, the Breakers (6-4) have held home court against Perth before winning away for the first time in the campaign against Sydney on Thursday night.
Melbourne (9-2), meanwhile, have lost two straight, including a defeat to lowly Townsville on Friday night, and limp into Auckland looking to recapture the form that saw them start the season with nine straight victories.
But in the Breakers they will face a team firing towards a trio of targets: closing the gap on the league-leaders, maintaining their unbeaten record at home, and righting the wrongs of the first chapter in this budding rivalry.
"This one on Sunday is more than another game," said coach Dean Vickerman. "We have a great home record going this year - something the boys pride themselves on. And, for sure, after what happened in Melbourne, they believe there is a little bit of payback in this game."
Webster, more than most, would have ample reason to be searching for retribution, given it was his clash with Goulding that turned the tide in Melbourne's direction. If anyone, the Australian was the party guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct, having thrown himself dramatically to the floor following minimal contact.
But the shooting guard rejected the suggestion the Breakers would be buoyed exclusively by those bad memories, careful to avoid becoming too caught up in the emotion of the rematch.
"I think, in the back of our minds, everyone remembers the finish that happened in Melbourne," Webster said. "But even though there is a bit of edge about it, we're just going to come out and play Breakers basketball."
Webster's battle with Goulding - settling scores aside - will be the marquee match-up at Vector Arena, with both players sitting inside the top five scorers in the competition. Cedric Jackson is set to shake off bruising to his knee to take the court and, while Tai Wesley remains absent, Mika Vukona's health will boost the Breakers after the skipper missed the moment of such controversy.
"We were a couple of players down when we played them and we pushed them to the limit," Webster said. "So I'm confident in my squad. I know tomorrow we're going to come out tough."
