The Auckland Stars may not know whether their captain Casey Frank will take the court against Taranaki tonight until game time.
Frank went down in a tumble with Pero Cameron during the Stars' 83-71 loss to Waikato last weekend, straining knee ligaments. He is also troubled by bone
bruising in his foot and has been unable to train all week.
Coach Kenny Stone will give him until the last minute.
"I can't remember the last time we lost two games in a row but it was some years ago," Stone said yesterday. "With the table compressed the way it is we can't afford to lose another one."
The Stars are in third place, with five wins from nine.
Their preparation has been focused on bringing the new imports, forward Corey Hallett and guard Brandon Cole, into the game-plan.
"We need to get them involved in the right places at the right time. They have struggled to know where to get shots and opportunities," Stone said.
"They have to step up - we can't rely on three guys," he said, referring to the other three starters Frank, Dillon Boucher and Lindsay Tait.
Taranaki won the last encounter between the sides 99-84 in New Plymouth two weeks ago in what was the first game for Hallett and Cole.
It seems unlikely Tall Blacks sharpshooter Phill Jones will be able to help the Giants this season as he has in past years. NBL rules require him to play five games in roundplay to be eligible for the finals but just four rounds remain and Jones is still involved in the playoffs in Italy with his Cantu club.
