It was perhaps not quite as competitive as they would have hoped.
But it is hard to be too critical of the Otago Nuggets.
The side had already secured the NBL Showdown’s top spot before Saturday’s 97-74 loss to the Nelson Giants in Auckland.
They will play the Manawatu Jets tomorrow, the result determining their match-up for Thursday’s semifinals.
The Nuggets were without two starters on Saturday, as both Jordan Hunt and Kane Keil carried niggles.
It is hoped they will play tomorrow night.
Stars Jarrod Kenny and Jordan Ngatai also played well below their usual quota of minutes too, as the side gave its bench more opportunity.
Darcy Knox had 17 points, while Richie Rodger also impressed and added 13 points of his own.
However, the side struggled to contain the Giants inside, notably, Mike Karena — who had 26 points on 80% shooting in 17 minutes — and proved too much for the team to handle.
The Nuggets led 28-21 after a strong first quarter, but fell behind as their offence began to lag and the Giants pulled away.
Coach Brent Matehaere said he had hoped the side would be a bit more competitive.
However, confidence remained high in the group.
Before Saturday night, the team had lost just one of its past seven games — and that by one point.
The focus now is on ensuring they are on a flight home after Saturday’s final, not the day before.
"The amount of chat around the rooms and meetings certainly hasn’t changed," he said.
"We’re in good spirits.
"The boys are certainly looking forward to playing this week; we’re reasonably excited.
"And a flight home on Sunday, we might say, that’s the plan.
"Nobody’s contemplating coming home on Friday."
Form has been up and down for most teams throughout the league.
However, Matehaere knew this week was when everyone had been targeting to be at their best.
He pointed to Saturday’s result of the Canterbury Rams and Auckland Huskies beating the Franklin Bulls and Manawatu Jets respectively, as evidence of that.
Despite that, he also felt the Nuggets’ good form was important.
The side had finished with a nine-win, five-loss record and had been "really happy" with that outcome.
"You want to go into the playoffs with all guns blazing and have everything set up as much as possible.
"We’re really looking forward to the challenge that’s coming in the next few nights and we’re looking to do something the franchise has never done before."
Carrying that form on and continuing to improve was the focus for tomorrow night’s game, which tips off at 7.30pm.
