The Nuggets snapped a 33-game losing streak with a 74-67 win against the Manawatu Jets on Saturday night and they were pretty happy about it.
But the reality of facing the Waikato Pistons tonight brought the celebrations to a hasty end.
Nuggets coach Alf Arlidge described the Pistons as "the hottest team in the league right now".
With Tall Black stars Alex Pledger and Thomas Abercrombie and possibly the best guard rotation in the National Basketball League, Arlidge acknowledged his side faced an uphill struggle.
"By Tuesday they [the smiles] were gone and we knew we were moving on to our new task," Arlidge said.
"They [the Pistons] are dynamite at the moment but I'm really looking forward to it. I think we have more horses than we did last year against them."
The Nuggets will look to attack up front through American centre Lance Allred and Tall Black forward Craig Bradshaw, with the likes of Sam To'omata and Scott O'Gallagher required to guard the perimeter fiercely.
Allred starred for the Nuggets last week with 22 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks. The former NBA bench player has been consistent since joining the franchise but stepped up with a match-winning performance against the Jets.
"Lance has started to show us what he is capable of and he has started to take more ownership in the last couple of weeks. So it will be a good match-up [with Pledger] and Craig Bradshaw on Thomas Abercrombie will be a really hard match-up for both."
Bradshaw and Abercrombie have contrasting styles. Abercrombie is very athletic and will use his pace to lose his marker, while Bradshaw will look to muscle the ball into the paint. Both have a useful outside game as well.
The Pistons can call on Breakers forward BJ Anthony and league veteran Puke Lenden, who has played more then 200 NBL games, if the Nuggets start gaining an advantage.
For the home side the real challenge will be keeping the Pistons' guard line in check.
Jerry Smith (20.2 points per game), Hayden Allen (16.9) and Jason Crowe (11.4) are all capable of getting hot and playing a winning hand. But when combined in one starting five like they are it is electric. Crowe leads the league in assists with 7.4 a match, Smith is the leading poacher with 2.8 steals a game and the trio combine for an average of 48.5 points, 13.5 assists and 7.1 steals.
With Pledger chipping in 19.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.6 blocks and Abercrombie's 19.3 points and 6.3 rebounds, the Nuggets could crash back to earth with a resounding thud.
NUGGETS v PISTONS
- Edgar Centre, tonight, 5.30pm
• Otago Nuggets: Sam To'omata, Lance Allred, Craig Bradshaw, Mark Morrison, Scott O'Gallagher, Riki Buckrell, James Ross, Tom Rowe, Sam King, Matt Trueman, Hayden Miller, Damon Cleverley.
• Waikato Pistons: Thomas Abercrombie, Alex Pledger, Jason Crowe, Jerry Smith, Hayden Allen, BJ Anthony, Ray Cameron, Puke Lenden, Boyd Scirkovich.