FANCY HAIRDOS, high fives and that unmistakable swagger every time they pull up those oversized shorts will all count for nothing tonight.

For that matter, neither will any jiving or trash talking, because talk will invariably be cheap.

After 40 minutes of questioning each other's pedigree at the TSB Bank Arena, along the Queen's Wharf in Wellington, all that'll count is the score on the electronic scoreboard after the final hooter.

Two teams will count their blessing to make the Bartercard National Basketball League (NBL) grand final tomorrow at 6pm while the other two semifinalists will return home licking their wounds and pondering what-ifs until early next year.

The finalists' celebrations will be somewhat muted, almost uncharacteristically sympathetic towards the losers perhaps more out of relief as if to underline: "I'd rather you lot than us us, busters."

If what the pundits are predicting, based on statistics, is anything to go by then the Paul Henare-coached HBS Bank Hawks should beat defending champions Wellington Saints in the 8.30pm semifinal tip-off today in the clash of the first qualifiers versus the fourth-placed ones, after the second-placed Auckland Pirates will have eclipsed the Manawatu Jets in the 6.30pm encounter.

Again, a sense of respect for the opposition built on familiarity and a healthy dose of humility will rapidly evaporate as the biggies and guards will slip on knuckle dusters in what is expected to be dogfights in the court of contention.

Saints coach Pero Cameron, who is often bathed in sweat regardless of how cold it is, hasn't returned any phone calls this week although he and assistant coach Zico Coronel were snooping in Palmerston North in the Hawks' final match against the Jets last Sunday.

In the case of the Paora Winitana-captained Hawks that feeling - you know the one where no one really wants to say anything for fear of putting a hex on it - seems to be back.

The warm fuzzies with a healthy mixture of butterflies will fuel the Hawks, who need no reminding of what it takes to clinch an NBL title, after claiming their maiden one in 2006 under Australian coach Shawn Dennis.

Ironically that came on the heels of the 2005 grand final when the then Auckland Stars pipped the Hawks in Napier before the Bay franchise struck back in North Harbour.

Co-assistant coach Willie Burton has fond memories of the euphoria surrounding 2006.

"Very much so [a special moment] especially when you're waiting for as long as I have to win it," says Burton, for whom it was the only NBL title before he hung up his boots.

"Then to have another moment to win the big thing again as a coach is kind of exciting."

He almost feels like he'll be running on to the court this weekend.

"I can understand what the boys are going through at the moment."

The play-off intensity began on Tuesday night when the squad scrimmaged with five-on-five games for six-minute sessions.

"It was very intense and the guys let each other know we're ready to play.

"Even though it's a semifinal we've got something to prove because last year Wellington knocked us out of the final."

Like other players, Burton urged Hawks faithful to head down this weekend to support them, guaranteeing to leave no fuel in their tank.

"I heard Aidan Daly go on about the odds but I don't really follow the paper.

"I just know we have a really good team and I rate our chance of beating Wellington."

Earlier, bench point guard Daly said Dennis had primed the 2006 Hawks and everything had come to fruition come play-off time.

"There was a decent hit up at the Spencer [Byron Hotel] near the Harbour with a few run-arounds along the hallways and up and down the elevators," he said of the ensuing celebrations.

"It was well enjoyed and warranted at the time because it was our first title."

With Henare and co-assistant coaches Kirstin Taylor (Daly's sister) and Burton laying down the foundation this season, he sees parallels to 2006.

He feels it's like a welcome back for the veterans.

"It's nice to put four dollars on us right now considering we're No1 at the moment.

"We're under-dogging it a little bit but that's cool we're coming in to play Wellington in the semis on their night but we're on the home bench and we'll be wearing black so that'll be good."

Shooting guard Everard Bartlett said: "We had Willie B on the team and it was his last year so I definitely remember that very clearly.

"Willie retired after that, winning his very first championship ever."

The Hawks, he says, were court savvy and had bought into the team philosophy.

"To back that up the following year we definitely knew what we had to do."

A second-year New Zealand Breakers development player, he had made a beeline for Auckland thus missing out on the hoopla that included a victory parade through Napier City.

The Adelaide 36er lauds the focus, leadership and intensity this season.

"Not winning back that championship since then means we're pretty focused and it's similar to 2006."

US import Kareem Johnson didn't feel a lot of pressure in 2006.

"They brought me in to win one more game so that's pretty much the same situation here this season."

A jovial Johnson puts it down to "getting lucky with a group of guys" in winning the NBL title with the Saints last year but when pushed accepting a bit of class also makes a difference.

"It was just a great game. A lot of intensity and everyone just came to play.

"I'll get a few butterflies before we get going but I'll be fine, I'll be fine."

Winitana recalls creating history on the heels of despair in 2005.

He feels the mental application is on a par if not better for this weekend although he and Reece Tuala-Fata won't play tomorrow because of their Mormon beliefs.

"It's top basketball in New Zealand. If you're not prepared then you shouldn't be playing."

Henare had spent most of the season in Turkey after the first two games.

"The guys did the job then I came back with three or four games left in the season and the rest is history."

Just before jetting off to Wellington at 5pm yesterday, he emphasised respect for the Saints "who'll be up for it".

"But I have confidence in our guys and everyone is healthy."