The theory that organisms, and people, can share an almost telepathic interconnectedness and exchange information that can solve complicated problems was a big concept for a bunch of basketballers.

Lemanis's teachings are paying off as the team keeps evolving and collectively finding new pathways to victory in its quest to reach the NBL play-offs.

As the Bullets' stilted offence groaned and clanked in their 98-87 overtime win against the Illawarra Hawks, the group adjusted on the fly.

When their outside shooting failed, they worked hard to be in a position to earn fouls.

If the scoreboard wasn't ticking over, guard Adam Gibson, forward Mika Vukona and centre Matthew Hodgson contributed rebounds, steals and blocks that gave the side a chance start the next offensive play afresh.

"Everyone had each others' back," Gibson said.

"If some one gets beaten, the next guy steps up."

And so it must be for the Bullets who, despite the scrappy win against Illawarra, have conceded the driver's seat in the play-offs race to the Adelaide 36ers.

With 14 wins from 26 games, the 36ers can not be excluded from the finals if they win their final two games against Melbourne United at home and the Wildcats in Perth.

Brisbane, on 13 wins, must beat the Taipans in Cairns on Saturday and the New Zealand Breakers at home in their final outing to give themselves the best chance of qualifying.

One or more losses from Adelaide would certainly help.

"It's pretty much do or die," Gibson said.

More connections must work if the Bullets are to keep their season alive in Cairns.

Defensively, they were strong against the Hawks, pulling in critical rebounds, fighting for loose balls and keeping a lid on Jordair Jett when he threatened to take the game away from them.

Lemanis will be asking for more ruthlessness in offence to pile pressure on Cairns and build a game capable of doing some damage in the four-team finals.

"We have to come out and assert ourselves onto the game, not think we'll work our way into it," the coach said.

"We've got to come out and be ready to go."

Lemanis will also seek a better plan for forward Cameron Bairstow who for the second straight game battled cramp.

Australian Associated Press