KEY POINTS:
Stalwart performer Dillon Boucher believes the Auckland Stars are still title contenders but their season goes on the line tonight well ahead of next month's basketball playoffs.
Clinging to the sixth and final playoff spot, the Stars (7-6) tonight host in-form Taranaki, their main rivals for a post-season berth.
Having pulled off one of the upsets of the season by downing league leaders Waikato Pistons in overtime in New Plymouth in their last outing, Taranaki (7-6) won't lack confidence.
Having squeaked a 93-90 overtime win over Taranaki in New Plymouth in round six, a second victory would earn the Stars the vital split in the event if the teams are tied on points at the end of the regular season.
That fact wasn't lost on Boucher, who said the erratic Stars could yet shape up as title contenders if their glaringly thin squad remains fully fit.
"We feel we have got the players to make a good go of winning this thing," Boucher said.
"I have played on teams that have had the same amount of ability and we have won championships.
"We are confident in our ability but we have still been trying to find that element that will make us all gel, to get the chemistry right."
A thumping win over Harbour Heat two weeks ago seemed to back up Boucher's words but the Stars have struggled mightily whenever key players have been absent.
Casey Frank's mid-season holiday saw them drop a home game to the Canterbury Rams, while last week they were again routed at home by Nelson when Adrian Masjtrovich pulled out injured.
"We haven't been able to find the depth to cover injuries and when people have been away," Boucher said.
"That has been our Achilles heel this season. We just hope we can keep a fully fit and healthy roster for the rest of the season."
The Stars also have a tough run-in, with tonight's game followed by a three-game road trip against the Saints (10-4), Nuggets (2-13) and Hawks (8-5). Their final regular season game is at home against the Pistons (12-4).
"The games we have remaining are real good tests going into the playoffs - we just hope we can get enough wins to get there," Boucher said.
The third-placed Heat (9-6) look to bounce back from Sunday's home loss to Manawatu when they take on Taranaki tomorrow night.
The match of the round looks to be Saturday's clash between Hawkes Bay and Nelson (8-6) in Nelson.
If they fail to arrest a two-game skid, Nelson could be sucked into the battle for the final playoff spot.
The Pistons, who have a bye, should see their two-game lead at the top erased by the end of the round, with the hard-charging Saints taking on the lowly Rams (4-11) and Nuggets on a two-game southern road trip.
