The NBL playoffs commence this week with seven teams trying to prevent Brisbane capping a record-setting season with a third championship trophy.

Brisbane's deep, talented roster has already created history after securing a 17th straight victory on Saturday night, pipping Townsville by two points on the road to take sole possession of the best winning streak ever.

Fittingly the Bullets then wrapped up the regular season, scraping past Cairns to carry an 18-game winning streak into the playoffs.

The post-season picture is now clear at the end of round 21, with Sydney securing fourth place after thrashing eighth-placed Singapore, consigning Townsville to fifth.

The Crocs and Slingers will open the post-season on Wednesday, meeting in an elimination final in Townsville, while sixth-placed Cairns will take on another first-year club in the South Dragons in another knock-out contest.

Brisbane have firmed to an almost unbackable $1.70 title favourite with SportsTAB, ahead of defending champion Melbourne ($3.50), Perth ($6) and Sydney ($13).

Brisbane guard Mick Hill said the players received plenty of criticism last season after being knocked out in the first round in a home elimination final defeat against Perth.

The club re-tooled this year with several key acquisitions, including CJ Bruton and Ebi Ere who are both former title winners in Sydney, and they have proved the perfect complements to MVP fancy Sam Mackinnon.

While it is 20 years since they last hoisted a championship banner, Brisbane clearly have their best chance yet of breaking their long title drought.

"At the start of the season we knew we had an awesome team and it was just a matter of getting all those talents together," Hill said.

"Being a part of last year's team it was a major disappointment and whenever we were out on the streets of Brisbane we would be constantly getting hassled by people asking why we weren't winning.

"It's a nice feeling to prove those critics wrong because everyone is willing us to lose."

Brisbane is almost the only team being mentioned in championship calculations, but the Tigers are also perfectly placed to defend their title.

By finishing second on the ladder with a 25-8 record, they are guaranteed a passage into the semi-finals.

They were also the last team to beat Brisbane, a feat they achieved back in November, and they warmed up for the post-season with a solid 99-83 victory over the Kings on Saturday night.

Reigning MVP Chris Anstey has hit peak form and they even got big man and five-time title winner David Stiff back on the court following a long layoff with a hand injury.

Everything is falling into place nicely for the Victorian club.

"It was a good win against a good team and we wanted to win our last game of the year leading into the finals, so I think it's great preparation for us," coach Al Westover said.

"Stiff even got a few minutes, it was a great test for us and now we've got to keep sharp between now and the first semi."

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