Although they comfortably put away Southern Steel in the previous round the Silver Ferns-laden Magic appeared barely satisfied with a nine-point margin.
That is an ominous sign for a Canterbury Tactix outfit who have arguably already exceeded expectations.
Irene van Dyk may have shot at 100 per record in converted all 33 of her attempts in Hamilton on Monday but the post-match reaction suggested the Magic were still striving for collective perfection.
"Our expectations are very high, we should have won by more," coach Noeline Taurua said after her team's sixth win in seven outings.
"I did expect more. But I do need to start giving some credit to the opposition and not being so arrogant."
Given the quality of her playing roster it is understandable the former international is demanding more than perfunctory victories.
The Magic condemned the Steel to a two-win five loss record entering the bye and now have their sights set on diminishing the sixth-placed Tactix' prospects.
The Christchurch-based franchise has fashioned a four-win two loss record but a home court triumph seems unlikely despite Australian defender Demelza Fellowes' upbeat approach.
Fellowes will be chiefly responsible for curbing the combined threat of van Dyk and the roving Maria Tutaia, who landed remarkable 23 from 26 shot against the Steel, principally from long range.
While the Victorian will be under intense pressure in and around the goal circle, Fellowes is confident the Tactix have a midcourt capable of disrupting the supply lines to the Silver Ferns sharp shooters.
"They took a while to find their feet and now they're finding their rhythm it's up to us to get in there early and disrupt that," Fellowes said.
"When you look at the likes of Julie Seymour or Phillipa Finch and Jo McCaw, I think we're really lucky because we're losing absolutely nothing," she said, prefacing the midcourt tussle against the Magic's Laura Langman, Joline Henry and Amigene Metcalfe.
The Tactix are hardly coming off a compelling performance after needing overtime to subdue the winless Central Pulse 55-50 last Saturday and will be hoping English import Rachel Dunn continues to settle despite the attention of ace defender Casey Williams.
Dunn, who made her debut in Palmerston North as a replacement for pregnant former Silver Fern Jodi Brown, shot an encouraging 37 from 43 firstup and will combine again with goal attack Anna Thompson
Meanwhile, the Pulse might fancy their chances of ending a six-match losing streak when they host the under-performing Northern Mystics in Wellington on Monday.
With only a solitary victory -- against the Steel on May 5 -- the Mystics also appear out of playoffs contention.
Across the Tasman, Australia's playoff contenders jockey for position with the second-placed Queensland Firebirds hosting the third-placed Melbourne Vixens in Brisbane on Sunday.
The fifth-placed Adelaide Thunderbirds host the Sydney Swifts, who are a spot higher on goal difference, in the round closer on Monday night.
