Bullets coach embraces role of Grinch

But Brisbane coach Andrej Lemanis has embraced the role of The Grinch to ensure the Bullets stay hungry before a tough road trip that may define their NBL season.

Lemanis has hardly been feeling festive despite the Bullets soaring to fourth with four wins in five games.

The Bullets have had no time for Christmas treats with Lemanis hammering Brisbane on the practice court before a daunting three game away jaunt that starts against Andrew Bogut and the Sydney Kings on Saturday.

Brisbane back up in Wollongong on New Year's Eve before they head to Cairns to take on the Taipans on January 3.

They have four games in nine days with a designated home clash with high-flying Melbourne United on the Gold Coast on January 5.

Hard task master Lemanis knows he won't be getting too many Christmas cards from players but he makes no apologies with one eye already on February's finals.

"The guys have referred to me as the Christmas Grinch," Lemanis said.

"This Christmas period hasn't been great for us the last couple of seasons and I think that has been because we have lost our focus.

"I have just reminded them of the broader goal. They need to be smart (what they eat) over Christmas.

"We would much rather be playing in February than enjoying ourselves now."

The Bullets are still buzzing from their last round 93-86 win over the Wildcats in Perth.

But they will get a true gauge of their progress against the Kings, who are jostling with Melbourne United for the NBL ladder lead.

"I look forward to it. Boges has come in and made a difference to the league for sure but he's got a lot of talent around him," Lemanis said.

"We are starting to figure some things out but it's a tight league and we are not getting ahead of ourselves; we haven't proven anything yet.

"But this is an important period of the year for us."

Lemanis is hopeful guard Jason Cadee (leg cork) and forward Mike Vukona (calf) will be fit to face the Kings.

Australian Associated Press