Sunday, 21 January 2018:
Brisbane captain Adam Gibson has dismissed suggestions his players are beginning to buckle under the weight of seven-straight losses, declaring the chemistry within the group strong.
Melbourne survived a final-quarter comeback to beat the Bullets 103-95 in Friday's Heritage round to retain their place on the top of the NBL ladder.
Gibson stressed morale within the group remained high and had not be eroded by their losing streak.
Brisbane have not won since they upset Perth 82-76 on the road on December 16,
"There has been no fingers pointed at anyone, no blame game," said Gibson after Brisbane's latest eight point loss.
"Our training before this game was probably the best we've had.
"We got stuck into it, a bit of biff, plenty of fire.
"We had a really good week, we got after each other, executed the things we were not doing well but it didn't translate in a full game for whatever reason.
'What you do at practice doesn't count if you don't do it on the main stage.
"We're going hard and I definitely can't fault the guys for not trying. Had you been at training you would have thought we were going to win this game by 20."
Gibson said the players remained tight and were holding people accountable.
"There are no personal attacks, they are for the good of the group.
"We probably haven't done that (criticise) ourselves for doing the wrong things. We're getting better and the guys on the bench have to hold the guys on the floor accountable if they are not doing their job.
"If they aren't then they have to sit themselves down, it's that simple."
Brisbane have missed big man Cameron Bairstow, who hasn't played a game this season, and whose career may be in danger because of nerve problems.
The Bullets will have to make changes to their playing roster next season but coach Andrej Lemanis said the focus remained on the last six games of the regular season.
"There are six games to play and we have try to win all six," he said.
That starts with next Saturday's big home clash with Adelaide.
