Schedule "fears" come true for battered Jackies

"If there's rest in between those games and whatever, we will play anywhere in the world, but there is no rest."

Tasmania coach Scott Roth fears the negative impact of his club's hectic pre-season schedule could hamper the squad for months to come. 

The JackJumpers' title defence got off to a wobbly start when they suffered a 88-79 loss to Melbourne United at HoopsFest in Perth on Thursday night.

Tasmania entered their season opener without guard Sean Macdonald (ankle) and new import Craig Sword (concussion) after they picked up injuries in Singapore.

Macdonald could miss up to three months of action, but Sword is a chance to return for Tasmania's home clash with Melbourne United on September 28.

Star big man Will Magnay could miss that match after clashing heads with an opponent in the dying minutes of Tasmania's season opener.

After playing two games at the NBL Blitz on the Gold Coast, the JackJumpers travelled to Singapore for three matches in the space of three days as part of FIBA's Intercontinental Cup.

Tasmania flew into Perth on Monday, with the bruised and battered squad fronting up just three days later for their season opener.

Roth said his Championship-winning team didn't have the option of saying no to FIBA'S Intercontinental Cup, and he fears the bruising schedule could have an ongoing impact.

"It could be a few months," Roth said, before saying "yeah" when asked if it was a concern.

"I don't mind playing any game, anywhere. But when there's no rest in between, it is what my fear was all along

"We played basically five games in about nine days. And when you play three in a row, the last time I did that was actually in a lockout year in the NBA, when they were playing three games in a row. 

"If there's rest in between those games and whatever, we will play anywhere in the world, but there is no rest."

A crowd of 4,622 attended Thursday night's season opener at RAC Arena, with the match officially opening the inaugural HoopsFest.

Matthew Dellavedova starred for Melbourne, draining 12 points in the third quarter on the way to a 21-point haul. 

Captain Chris Goulding did not start the match due to illness, and finished with just seven points in a quiet display.

For the JackJumpers, Anthony Drmic (14 points) and Jordon Crawford (10 points) put up big numbers in the first half, but they were held scoreless thereafter.

Milton Doyle drained 23 points, while Magnay tallied 14 points and six rebounds before being injured.