Brisbane want to prove there's NBL life without Aron Baynes as Justin Schueller prepares to coach against the club that helped launch his career.
The Bullets will face Melbourne United on Sunday, fresh off an 11-point loss to two-time defending champions Sydney on Friday night.
Schueller spent six years on the United coaching staff, winning two championships before taking the top job in Brisbane this year.
They'll travel without pivotal centre Aron Baynes, who copped a hefty five-game ban for his role in a fiery exchange against Cairns last week.
While privately shocked at the length of the punishment the Bullets chose not to appeal the decision, which was handed down behind closed doors by what the NBL described as a single-member tribunal on Thursday night.
"The first part is making sure the individual is okay," Schueller said.
"Second part is, 'Alright, it is what it is, now how do we make sure we take care of the next five games?
"We don't want to be dropping game after game and making that an excuse because a guy is out.
"It doesn't matter which of our guys is suiting up we expect that (to win).
"It's a hole but one that creates an opportunity for us.
"We'll learn how much we really are in the mix.
"Someone like Baynesey is someone you're going to miss. It's not an easy fix."
They missed him against the Kings, who had fellow former NBA forward Jonah Bolden find his groove with a 12-point, 12-rebound effort in his comeback after a three-year basketball hiatus.
Tyrell Harrison and 17-year-old Rocco Zikarsky battled admirably but they were also without rookie forward Josh Bannan (knee), who could return against South East Melbourne next weekend.
Brisbane are now 2-2. Sunday's clash will be Schueller's first against his former club.
"I owe a lot to that club; part of the reason I'm here today is because of what we achieved there," he said.
"To be honest though I just want to go in and kick their tail.
"We've got two losses in a row, I don't care who we're playing on Sunday."
