Basketball On The Internet.

NBL fans across the nation felt for Damian Martin when the Perth captain suffered his shocking facial injury against Townsville on November 4.

That was in Round 5 and here we are at Round 8, November 27 - just a tad over three weeks later - and he will be suiting tonight against the reigning champion NZ Breakers at Perth Arena!

In a News Corp report out of Perth, Damo said yesterday: "I met with the surgeon today and he was happy with how I've recovered, how the gums are healing, the strength of the wiring on my teeth, and he was very satisfied with the titanium plates, plus the mouthguard will contribute to having a reasonably strong jaw."

Martin trained yesterday and now will play against the Breakers, confirming the sizzling career-best form of NZ two-guard Corey Webster was a factor in the decision.

Medically cleared, I can't help feeling it's still premature to bring him back this soon. Look, we all know most pro athletes will say they are ready to go, even if there's a broken bone sticking out of their leg. "Just whack a bandaid on that, I'm good."

But if "the gums are healing" then to me that's not the same as "the gums are healed". Damo's quote suggests the process is ongoing. I'd be happier for his health if the process was complete.

BREAKING UNITED: Corey Webster en route to a career-high 39 points last round.

You can't keep a good man down, I know. And athletes DO heal faster than the average punter because they put far more into their rehab. I wish him all the best but just hope enthusiasm and desire hasn't got the better of good decision-making.

THIS just in. The NBL plans to take the third quarter of last night's Townsville-Melbourne game (Crocs 7 pts to United's 8) and offer the DVD as an insomnia cure.

The last five minutes however? That was why we have Fox.

Clint Steindl with a career-best 25 points, including a pair of huge threes at the game's death; Jordair Jett with some desperation heroics, and United holding on this time as their lead was whittled to a basket.

The top team did what it was supposed to, albeit again unconvincingly. And the Crocs showed their days as easybeats are done, Illawarra on notice.

Tonight: ADELAIDE is down Matt Hodgson (knee) but coach Joey Wright doesn't expect that to hurt against Cairns as much as it will in the 36ers' other road games to come. The Taipans' bigs do tend to play out as much as in, so he may be right. The season series is at 1-1 and not much separates these teams. Jerome Randle was the difference in the Sixers' win, Markel Starks and Torrey Craig stepping it up in the Taipans' success. This one should be tight but I'm expecting Adelaide to get the W. 

HOW much Damian Martin's return affects Perth in terms of raising the team's morale has to be included as a factor here now when the Wildcats host New Zealand. The Breakers won at home and are rolling but this rivalry has spice. Is it too much to expect Martin to immediately be able to hinder someone as hot as Webster? Does that prospect suggest some defensive deficiencies as it is? Just feel the Breakers are closer at this stage to who they want to be.

Last night: MELBOURNE UNITED 66 (Holt 20, Warrick 15, Kickert 9; Blanchfield 8 rebs; Goulding 5 assts) d TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES 63 (Steindl 25, Jett 17, Conklin 8; Kay 10 rebs; Kay, Jett 4 assts) at The Swamp.