Tonight's game between the Otago Nuggets and the Wellington Saints is shaping as a benchmark for the Nuggets as they try to topple the defending champions for the first time since 2006.
Nuggets coach Alf Arlidge said the Saints were strong throughout the court and would be a good test for the Nuggets after a win and a loss in their opening two games.
"They will bring intensity to the match and it will be a good gauge to see where we are at," Arlidge said yesterday.
"They have won it the last two years and even though a few guys have moved on to other teams, the core of the team is still there."
Arlidge said although the Auckland Pirates were "favoured to win the competition by a lot of people", the Saints were "right up there.
"They are well coached by Pero Cameron and possibly have the best backcourt in the country, and probably the best guard rotation with Jason Crowe, Anthony Gurley and Tall Black Jeremy Kench.
"Up front, they have got Casey Frank, who is just a livewire and a really athletic big man at 6-9 (2m)."
Arlidge said he was confident the Nuggets could match the Saints and "give them a good run for their money.
"We are going to go out to give it our all and try to leave everything out on the floor.
"Our goal week in, week out is to learn from our mistakes, to move on, and to bounce back every week.
"We just have to keep trucking along and get better with every game."
The Nuggets go into the match with a full squad to pick from, with "everyone fit and well".
It will be a special occasion for homegrown Tall Blacks point guard Mark Dickel, who has not played at home for the Nuggets since 2003.
"I think it will be great for him and something he is looking forward to," Arlidge said.
"We will be looking to play a more up-tempo game, especially with Mark running the point."
He said the Nuggets had a "good group of young guys" who had played "really well" in the first two games, and in forward Akeem Wright they had a "complete athlete".
Arlidge said he was hoping for a big crowd to get behind his team and they they could "rock on from there.
"The more screaming people the better it is for us."
Nuggets v Saints
Edgar Centre, tonight, 7pm
Nuggets: Mark Dickel, Riki Buckrell, Akeem Wright, Matt Trueman, Antoine Tisby, Sam King, James Ross, Tom Allan, Etahn Carruthers, Olly Smith, Damon Cleverley, Steve Robinson, Tom Ingham.
Saints: Jason Crowe, Anthony Gurley, Troy McLean, Arthur Trousdell, Casey Frank, Damien Ekenasio, Jeremy Kench, Ross Taurima, Jordan Ngatai.
