Will Magnay was a strong physical presence, Jordon Crawford made big shots and the Tasmania JackJumpers beat Melbourne United 81-72 on the night they unfurled their NBL championship banner.
The JackJumpers were right back to their ferocious best in a championship series rematch that threatened to boil over, but they led early on Saturday and remained in control in front of a raucous MyState Bank Arena crowd in Hobart.
Tasmania raised their championship banner before the game and played like a team on a mission, with Magnay setting the tone at both ends of the floor.
Up for the challenge against former teammate Marcus Lee and Melbourne veteran Rob Loe, Magnay finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, along with five massive blocks to be instrumental for the JackJumpers.
Game-five hero from last season Jordon Crawford put up 19 points for Tasmania as the defending champions won their first game of the season, holding a United team who had won their opening two matches to 72 points on 33 per cent shooting.
The JackJumpers started off 9-2 and never looked back, leading 20-14 by the end of the first quarter, 44-33 at half-time, then 61-49 by three-quarter-time.
Tasmania scored the first five points of the fourth team to open up a 17-point lead, eventually registering a nine-point win to send their fans home happy to start the new season.
On top of what Magnay and Crawford did, Milton Doyle had 13 points, nine rebounds and three assists, with Reuben Te Rangi adding 11 points, including a dagger late three.
JackJumpers coach Scott Roth was proud of so much about the night.
"I think the evening was tastefully done with us raising the banner," he said.
"It was obviously a huge concern once we found out we were playing them and wanting to be respectful for that team, and the gold club standards that they have over there.
"I think the fans enjoyed it and then we got down to the grit and grind of playing hard. It's not always pretty but it's effective and I thought it was really good across the board."
Jack White top-scored for Melbourne, who suffered their first loss of the season, with 21 points and 11 rebounds, with Ian Clark adding 13 points and Chris Goulding 11 despite 2-of-10 three-point shooting.
Matthew Dellavedova had eight points, five assists and four rebounds in a fascinating tussle with Crawford.
"Any time these two teams play there's a level of physicality that's at a high level and it's a challenge for the referees about what they call, and what level of physicality becomes a flop or what's not," United coach Dean Vickerman said.
"But we just weren’t good enough offensively tonight and they did a good job of speeding us up with their disruption."
