The reduced number of matches was one of several changes approved at a mid-season conference between SEABL representatives and club managers this week.

From next season, the SEABL campaign will be shortened to a 20-game format, potentially starting in the first week of April and ending in early August.

In other changes, the two-conference structure will be abolished, to be replaced by a full ladder and eight-team finals series.

Basketball Australia general manager of competitions Paul Maley said it was hoped the changes would strengthen the league by drawing more NBL and WNBL players to the competition and reducing interference with national team commitments

He said there was an "overwhelmingly positive" response from the clubs to shorten the season.

"New restricted player rules will also be introduced in 2018 with all players born in the Asia/Oceania region to be classified as local players, while lowering the NBL/WNBL restriction to allow more players to compete in SEABL unrestricted" he said.

Meanwhile, the Braves and Lady Braves will look to consolidate their seasons against the Frankston Blues on Saturday night at Bendigo Stadium.

The games will be the last home matches for three weeks for both teams.

The Braves enter their match on four-game winning streak at 9-7 and fresh from a morale-boosting two-point win over south conference rivals the Hobart Chargers.

Following a mixed start to the season, the Braves have found their groove, according to import forward C. J. Aiken.

"It took a while for the new players to get used to each other, but the coach (Ben Harvey) found a good solution, which everyone fitted into," he said.

"Our team is now confident against any team, no matter who it is, we just need to stay consistent and play good defence."

Aiken would relish a repeat of his effort against the Chargers, in which he scored 16 points and had 19 rebounds.

The Lady Braves will look to follow up a 19 point win over the Lady Chargers and will likely be boosted by the inclusion of Carlie Smith, who has missed three games with a knee injury.

In-form guard Bianca Dufelmeier, who has averaged 13 points in the past four weeks - up from her season average of 7.6 - said it was a team effort that was getting the job done for the 10-4 Lady Braves.

"We had 34 bench points to their nine against Hobart, which is a great effort," she said.

"I'm happy with where we are at, but there is always room for improvement."

Tip-off on Saturday night is 6pm for the Lady Braves and 8pm for the Braves.