Sitting eighth on the NBL1 South ladder with two winnable games coming up, the Ballarat Miners have a chance to cement their spot in the top eight with consecutive victories.
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As it stands, the top 13 teams remain tight on the ladder, fifth and 13th separated by just three wins.
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It means the Miners hold the fortunes of their season in their own hands.
The 2-10 Eltham Wildcats will be the Miners first task in their return to action, tip-off scheduled for 8pm on Saturday at Ballarat Sports and Events Centre.
The side hopes to bring the mentality and form from their four-game win streak before lockdown to the return to play, recruit Emmett Naar said.
"We've just got to go in with the mindset that we haven't had the break and keep that same mentality that we've had and that same confidence," he said.
"I think we should be confident going in, they're in the same position as us, everyone's had two weeks off so it's an even playing field."
The Wildcats went on a five-game losing streak before lockdown was announced, four of those double-digit losses.
They did beat reigning premier Nunawading, however, back in May, 74-69.
Adam Doyle was their best performer that night and has been all season, putting up 21.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals a game.
The country grudge match is set to follow on Sunday, the Miners visiting Bendigo Stadium for a clash with the Braves from 2pm.
Bendigo sits just one spot below the Miners on the ladder but holds the same record at 7-5.
It also already has a win under its belt against Ballarat this season.
That was back in round three, an 85-80 loss for the Miners.
"Obviously I'm new to the team but from talking to the boys the team's been playing a lot different to how they were at the start of the season," Naar said.
"Hopefully it will be a different result."
FIXTURE
SATURDAY
Geelong v Bendigo
Knox v Melbourne
Ballarat v Eltham
Ringwood v Diamond Valley
Kilsyth v Dandenong
SUNDAY
Bendigo v Ballarat
Waverley v Ringwood
Sandringham v Frankston
Nunawading v Geelong
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