Velička, Bullets shine under the stars

Lithuanian import Arnas Velička inspired the Brisbane Bullets to a memorable come-from-behind win with the roof open at Pat Rafter Arena to start their NBL season, beating the New Zealand Breakers 88-85.

It was a big night for the Bullets playing at a sold out Pat Rafter Arena for the first time and with the roof open to start their new season up against a Breakers team fresh off beating the Illawarra Hawks on Sunday.

New Zealand were in control for most of the first 25 minutes of the game and led by 11 four minutes into the second half before Brisbane responded with the next 10 points and it was Velička at the forefront of it all.

The Lithuanian point guard took over the contest and with support inside from imposing centre Tyrell Harrison, the Bullets outscored the Breakers 43 points to 29 the rest of the way to secure the three-point victory to the delight of the home fans.

The Bullets ended the game with 15 offensive rebounds, including a crucial one late that led to a clinching dunk from Harrison, while both teams struggled at the foul line, with Brisbane going 15/28 and New Zealand 13/20.

Velička ultimately was the difference with a spectacular NBL debut made up of 23 points and 14 assists with 5/9 three-point shooting.

Harrison added 22 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks, and the duo sent a warning about what they can do in NBL27.

Nate Hinton added 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists for Brisbane with Max Mackinnon contributing nine points and seven rebounds.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright did all he could for New Zealand with 26 points and seven assists on 6/15 three-point shooting including two missed attempts at the end that could have forced overtime.

DJ Vasiljevic went 4/6 from the outside for 17 points with Sam Mennenga adding 12 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Mojave King 11 points and two assists.

The Breakers arrived in Brisbane with momentum from their win over the Illawarra Hawks on Sunday and started strongly again, taking a 26-19 lead by quarter-time.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright already head eight points with a couple of three balls while the Bullets were staying in touch largely through the work of Tyrell Harrison with seven points and three rebounds.

New Zealand's lead grew to 11 in the second quarter but Brisbane did fire back before again the Breakers responded to remain on top by half-time leading 44-37.

Jackson-Cartwright finished with 13 points and four assists, while DJ Vasiljevic made all three of his long-range attempts for 12 points.

Brisbane had 10 turnovers in the half and three fouls to Harrison didn’t help their cause with Lithuanian import Arnas Velička having five points and six assists as point guard.

The Breakers again started the second half well and the lead was out to eight early in the third with a big dunk from big man Charles Bediako and then 11 with a triple from Jackson-Cartwright.

But the Bullets responded with the next seven points leading to a New Zealand timeout and then another triple from Nate Hinton suddenly made it a one-point ball game.

Brisbane then took a two-point lead into three quarter-time thanks a triple from captain and Mitch Norton before taking further control to start the fourth.

By the time Velička hit his fifth three of the night, the Bullets led by eight with seven minutes to go, and they did enough to secure the three-point win and make it a memorable home opening night.

The Bullets will now remain home at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre against the Illawarra Hawks on Friday night while the Breakers head west to take on the Perth Wildcats on Saturday evening.

BRISBANE BULLETS 88 – NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 85

Brisbane Bullets
Arnas Velička – 23 points, 14 assists, 5 rebounds
Tyrell Harrison – 22 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks
Nate Hinton – 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists
Max Mackinnon – 9 points, 7 rebounds
Jaylin Williams – 6 points, 4 rebounds

NZ Breakers
Parker Jackson-Cartwright – 26 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds
DJ Vasiljevic – 17 points, 4/6 3PT
Sam Mennenga – 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Mojave King – 11 points, 2 assists
Charles Bediako – 6 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists