Basketball On The Internet.

ROUND 8 of the NBL's COVID-interrupted season mercifully will close after tonight's Cairns-South East Melbourne rumble and tomorrow's Australia Day battle between Brisbane and Melbourne. The good news for the Taipans is they are back on the floor and Tahjere McCall will be among them.

The bad news is star import guard Scott Machado is still recovering from a heel injury and won’t suit while Mirko Djeric (calf) and Kouat Noi (precautionary) also will miss the Phoenix stoush.

McCall's return is a positive sign but with the Taipans off the court for almost four weeks, expect a lot of rust and very little momentum.

In contrast, the Phoenix are rolling and should take care of business.

The big question tomorrow is can Brisbane take care of business against a Melbourne club on a seven-game win-tear?

Unquestionably the Bullets need to bounce back after their pathetic effort in Sydney on Sunday and faced with the challenge United presents, expect them to be much more focused.

Even so, the depth of Melbourne's talent and the absence through injury of prime Bullets big Tyrell Harrison, makes United the logical tip for this one.

And then, just when you thought it was time for a little NBL siesta, Round 9 tips off on Thursday with a cracker, Perth Wildcats back in Wollongong to face Illawarra Hawks.