"The South Island double header is a big ask of anybody. The defending champions [Zerofees Southland Sharks] are there, too," Winitana said from Wellington airport yesterday before the Hawks caught their connecting flight to Momona airport before today's 5pm clash.
The Hawks will reload for a 7pm tip off against the Paul Henare-coached Sharks tomorrow in Invercargill.
"We prepare for Otago like we prepare for anybody else in the league," says the former Tall Blacks small forward, emphasising the Nuggets are reaping the benefits of years of rebuilding.
It is the battle of No 2 (Hawks) v No 3 with the hosts coming off a gut-wrenching loss to the Wellington Saints, the first-round slayers of Winitana's troops in the capital.
Not that the visitors need reminding but last year they lost to both the southern franchises, returning home without a point to show for.
"Last year is done and dusted," says the 37-year-old, lauding multiple NBL title-winning coach Baldwin and his crew for selecting the right mix to do the job this season, especially among those who slip on the knuckle dusters in the lanes of contention.
Winitana hastens to point out Serb import forward Darko Cohadarevic wasn't the right man so the blood-letting after last season was a reflection of Baldwin's professionalism and quest for results.
"Last year it was frustrating because we had no inside presence so the Serb's toughness wasn't there. Inside-out is how you win games," he believes, mindful dwelling too long on the rocky road of yesteryear will slow them down.
Two mistakes one can make along the highway of truth is not starting and, having done so, not going all the way.
The reality is US imports Dustin Scott and Kareem Johnson are what is required for the big construction works.
Centre Scott is pivotal in the Hawks' campaign, averaging a double-double of 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds in the team's 4-1 record to feature on the front cover of the NBL stats sheets.
Power forward Johnson is the second best field-goal shooter (61 per cent) and third best block merchant (1.7).
Throw in shooting guard Everard Bartlett on the outside, averaging 18.6 points and leading the three-point percentages, and you start getting the picture.
Both sides are hanging their hats on the cornerstone of defence - Hawks holding opponents to 40 per cent and Otago to 41 as NBL leaders.
Winitana will have his work cut out against playmaker Mark Dickel, even though three-point shooting is Otago's weakness.
"He is one of the greatest point guards in the league and he knows how to run his ship," he says of the former Tall Black.
Winitana is happy the Hawks have shown character in come-back wins at the PG Arena but he knows it's the potholes on the roads that will accentuate areas to patch up come playoff time.
