Nathan Sobey has starred for the Brisbane Bullets in a nailbiting 89-85 defeat of reigning runners-up the New Zealand Breakers, a victory that confirms positive signs for the long-time NBL strugglers.
The Bullets have not made the play-offs since 2019 and finished ninth last season, but are now 2-0 to start Justin Schueller's tenure as coach after a physical encounter in Auckland.
Sobey pitched in a game-high 24 points on Thursday night, including a memorable dunk that gave the Bullets a four-point lead on the half-time hooter.
The Boomers representative stood up late with six fourth-quarter points, and by the end of the game he was closing in on a double-double with eight rebounds, as well as six assists.
American Chris Smith stepped back for a deep two-pointer in the final 13 seconds that gave the Bullets a four-point lead and sealed the win.
"To be 2-0 to start the season feels great for now," Sobey said.
"We'll definitely take the wins and keep building from it, but with the group we have we're not going to be satisfied.
"We're hungry, we've got a group of guys that just want to get better, hang their hats on the defensive end and get out and play the right way and play for each other.
"That's the biggest difference (compared to last year)."
Neither side held a double-digit lead at any point, though the Bullets felt the better team for long stretches.
That was especially true in the first half, when the Breakers were sluggish on the offensive end and foul-prone.
Diminutive American guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (20 points, five assists) backed up an impressive NBL debut by keeping the Breakers in the contest early.
His one-two punch with fellow guard Will McDowell-White looks as though it will be crucial for the Breakers this season.
The pair combined for almost half of the Breakers' points on Thursday (39), but Mitch Norton did a great job quelling Jackson-Cartwright's influence after half-time.
In the end, the Breakers were left to rue gifting the Bullets 20 points from the free-throw line.
"This is indicative of us playing soft on both sides of the court," said Breakers coach Mody Maor.
"We never played with the appropriate intensity. We're better than this. We didn't deserve this win."
The Breakers had an injury scare midway through the second quarter when McDowell-White fell awkwardly on his strapped left hand after Norton blocked his shot.
The Australian representative, who missed the first game of the season with that injury, returned after half-time.
The Breakers are 1-1 to start the season and now travel to America for two pre-season games against NBA teams Portland and Utah next week.
Finn Delany missed the loss to Brisbane with a groin issue and is unlikely to feature on the American trip, which Maor said could be a blessing or a curse for the Breakers.
"These are two weeks that we can come out of them stronger, better, more connected," he said.
"Or we could go completely the opposite way. We (could) think we're going on a vacation ... (and) come back and think that talent is what's going to carry us over the hump.
"Then it will be a horrendous experience."
