All eight NBL clubs will play in Bendigo on Thursday and then travel to Ballarat for two more days of competition ove the weekend.

The highlight of the Bendigo schedule is the games between last year’s top four teams.

Melbourne United and the Adelaide 36ers meet for the first time since last season’s grand final series, while semi-finalists the Perth Wildcats and New Zealand Breakers will go head-to-head at 1pm.

The Wildcats were the first team to hit the training court on Wednesday.

Guard Mitch Norton, who crossed to Perth in the off-season from the Illawarra Hawks, said the NBL Blitz was crucial to the Wildcats' pre-season program.

"It's easy to get caught up in everyone else, but right now we're just trying to focus on ourselves,'' Norton said.

"We only have three games against NBL teams before we jump into the season.

"We have two games against NBA teams and then we're straight into the season."

Norton, who averaged eight points, two rebounds and two assists per game last year, has enjoyed his first pre-season with the Wildcats.

"Playing against the Wildcats for a number of years you can see how they're so physical during the game because they do practice that at training,’’ he said.

"It's been really good so far."

Norton’s arrival in Perth gives the Wildcats two of the premier defensive guards in the competition.

Norton was looking forward to teaming up with Damian Martin in the backcourt. 

"We had a taste of it (with the Boomers) at the Commonwealth Games and I loved it,'' Norton said.

"It's really good getting out there and getting after some import point guards."

Norton played for the Boomers in the two World Cup qualifying matches in Qatar and Bendigo.

He admitted it had been a tiring week.

“The sleeping pattern is not fantastic right now, but I’ll be right for the games,’’ Norton said.

Norton’s Perth team-mate Angus Brandt injured his ankle in the Boomers’ game on Monday night and was sporting a moon boot on Wednesday.

"He (Brandt) did a good job of rolling his ankle. He mentioned he's done it before and he said it doesn't feel too bad which is great signs for us as a club,'' Norton said.

"We've got great medical staff here and I'm sure he'll be good to go soon."

Norton said playing the NBL Blitz in regional areas was a great way to promote the NBL clubs and basketball in general.

"It's great to get out and see Bendigo and the fans will love it,’’ he said.

"There was a pretty good turnout for the Boomers game, so I'm sure they'll turnout in numbers for the Blitz."

Tickets for the NBL Blitz at Bendigo Stadium are available via Ticketek.