Dean Vickerman has spent the extended break leading into the NBL Playoffs steeling Melbourne United for one of the toughest title fights in league history.
The Play-In Tournament and FIBA window have conspired to sideline United for 19 days ahead of their best-of-three series against the Perth Wildcats.
But rather than take his team's foot off the gas, three-time championship coach Vickerman has ramped up the intensity on the practice court.
A pair of "competitive" intra-club scrimmages have punctuated the schedule, keeping United sharp for the series opener at John Cain Arena on Thursday night.
"We've played more games against each other and not taken it too easy," United captain Chris Goulding told AAP after a tough practice session on Friday.
"We've kept going with what we think is going to best prepare us and being smart, but also getting enough competitive stuff in.
"We've had two full games and although there's been no official games, we feel like we've been working."
Top seeds Illawarra are in a similar situation, sitting out for a full three weeks before battling South East Melbourne in their Playoffs series.
The fear is that the extended time off could kill some momentum built during the regular season, where United won six of their last seven games.
"I know we won a few games leading into the break but there were patches of games where we were bloody horrible," Goulding said.
"Then there were patches of games where we were really good, so we're just trying to harness the patches where we were good."
The FIBA window has somewhat levelled the playing field, with Perth (16 days) and South East Melbourne (12) also on extended breaks despite featuring in the Play-In Tournament.
Goulding, a three-time NBL champion, believes the championship is anyone's for the taking.
"It's wide open and it's going to come down to who can produce as much of their best basketball as possible," he said.
"I reckon every team would be really confident that if they play their best basketball they're in for a red-hot chance.
"We've made it to the top two, we've made it to the Playoffs, and that's half the battle in this league."
