It's officially Crocodile season in the National Basketball League.

Townsville stretched its league-best winning streak to seven in round 19 and, with just two rounds left until the playoffs, everyone is trying to keep pace with the red-hot Crocs.

The North Queensland club took some time hitting its straps this season, starting the year with just two wins from the opening seven games.

Midway through the season it was still struggling with a 5-10 record, riding a five-game losing streak.

But it was only a matter of time before a team boasting Olympian John Rillie, blue-chip imports Rob Brown and Casey Calvary, veterans Rob Rose and Pat Reidy and young guns Brad Newley, Adam Quick and Kelvin Robertson found its rhythm.

That time is now.

Defending champion Sydney and championship hopefuls Melbourne and Brisbane are among teams left on the scrapheap over the past month as Townsville moved towards a top four finish.

The 133-127 victory over Cairns put Townsville (16-13 record) above Brisbane into fifth, just behind Melbourne (4th; 16-12).

Adelaide (3rd; 18-12) and even Wollongong (2nd; 18-10) are within reach of the surging Crocs.

Townsville faces New Zealand (11th; 8-19) twice and Cairns (10th; 10-19) to end its regular season, by far the easiest run home of any of the playoff teams.

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