The purpose of this study was to investigate the intensities of work and the patterns of play during men's basketball and, in addition, to investigate the exercise metabolism that meets the energy demands of participation. Eight (8) male basketball players participating in the 1992 National Basketball League (NBL) were monitored during practice games and Victorian Basketball Association games. Each subject was videoed during competition and had his HR monitored at 15 second intervals throughout the game. In addition, arterialised blood samples were obtained at various stages throughout the game and analysed for lactate concentration.