The Braves sit on the bottom of the South East Australian Basketball League east conference ladder with a 7-10 record, but still have a realistic chance of forcing their way into the top four with three wins separating second-placed North West Tasmania (10-8) and the seventh-placed Braves.

Bendigo has nine regular season games remaining and would need to win at least seven of those nine to have any chance of sneaking into the top four.

The Braves host east conference leader Knox (11-7) this Saturday night and fifth-placed Canberra (8-10) on June 21.

‘‘Win our next two games and I think we have a very good chance of playing finals,’’ Braves coach Wayne Larkins said yesterday.

‘‘Before our loss to (south conference leader) Frankston last week we’d won four games in a row and I think we have a real chance of putting together another winning streak.

‘‘We lost to Knox earlier in the season by a couple of points after having the chance to win the game on the final play of the game.

‘‘They are the frontrunner in our section, but I think we have a good chance of winning the game.’’ The Braves will welcome back forward Nic Campbell this week. Campbell hasn’t played since April 4 because of his wedding.

While Campbell’s return will bolster the Braves’ frontcourt, there are injury concerns surrounding Cam Rigby and Taylor Bell.

Rigby is battling persistent back and hip complaints, while Bell injured his right knee at training last Thursday night.

‘‘I’m pretty sure Cam will be right to play because he seems to battle through those injuries each week,’’ Larkins said.

‘‘Taylor we’re not so sure about at this stage.’’ Bell has had an up and down season, but he would be sorely missed against Knox should his knee not recover in time.

The athletic swingman is one option to defend high-scoring Raiders’ import C.J. Massingale.

Massingale, who is averaging 27 points and nine rebounds per game this season, must be kept in check if the Braves are to have any chance of toppling the east conference flag favourites.