The NBL playoffs commence next month and a growing injury list is threatening to derail defending champion Brisbane's hopes of a second straight championship.

Olympian Sam Mackinnon is the biggest concern, with Bullets coach Joey Wright admitting his captain and the league's reigning MVP may not play again this season as he battles an ongoing knee injury.

New Zealand international and defensive specialist Dillon Boucher is facing six weeks on the sidelines with a groin injury, meaning he wouldn't return until well into the post-season.

Point guard CJ Bruton, another key part of Brisbane's rotation, has tweaked a recurring ankle injury that is expected to keep him out for at least a week.

The injuries couldn't have come at a worse time for the Bullets, who are losing touch with Melbourne for second place on the NBL ladder and the guaranteed path into the semi-finals.

Brisbane (3rd; 17-8 record) lost at home for just the second time this season on Friday night 105-95 to Perth and face a massive game against the Tigers (2nd; 19-6) in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Adding to Brisbane's woes, MVP candidate Ebi Ere is in the United States for the birth of his child and is no certainty to return in time to face the Tigers.

Despite all the obstacles, Wright is doing his best to remain optimistic.

"Without Sam Mackinnon, we showed that we can really play and beat some great teams. We beat Melbourne here without Sam," he said.

"But without Sam, Ebi, Dillon and CJ we probably won't (win a championship).

"CJ is usually a fast healer but he tweaked that ankle the last couple of times out. He looks like he's got a week or so injury."

The Tigers solidified their grip on second place with two regulation victories in round 19, denting Adelaide's finals hopes with a 113-108 road win on Wednesday before cruising past Singapore 115-82 on Saturday night.

The 36ers (9th; 11-15) bounced back with an upset 111-105 triumph over Cairns (7th; 13-12) on Saturday, but are still battling to catch the Taipans and New Zealand (8th; 13-12) for the eighth and final playoff spot.

One team that appears certain to be headed for the post season is first-year club Gold Coast (5th; 14-11).

The Blaze took advantage of a horror free-throw shooting night by Perth (4th; 15-10) to move within one win of the Wildcats for the final spot in the top four.

Perth hit a horrible 9-of-24 from the charity stripe in an 84-80 loss.

Gold Coast coach Brendan Joyce praised the vocal home crowd for helping his club get across the line.

"It was like a playoff game out there," Joyce said.

"(The crowd) is like having another player out there. We hit a couple of big shots and the crowd just went off."

While the Tigers and Bullets are fighting it out for second place, the minor premiership is all but assured after the Sydney Kings (1st; 21-3) took their home record to 11-1 with a 106-72 thrashing of the South Dragons.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP