Basketball On The Internet.

LOOK Out! When the Brisbane Bullets work out how to fully harness import Arnas Velicka, not only will his Batman-and-Robin one-two punch with centre Tyrell Harrison wreak havoc, but Will Weaver's list of quality cameo comrades also will flourish across NBL 2026-27.

Velicka debuted against New Zealand in the first NBL match played in Brisbane's Pat Rafter Arena with 23 points at 58 per cent, 5-of-9 threes and an equally - if not more - imposing 14 assists.

That is the greatest assists distribution by a player on debut in NBL history, eclipsing the 13 by the late Ken McFadden on his debut with Hobart Tassie Devils in 1992.

About the only thing the Lithuanian playmaker did poorly was shoot free throws, where his return was an unusually ugly 4-of-10 and even had Xavier Cooks shaking his head.

The Breakers easily could have wrapped this one and started their season at 2-0, Parker Jackson-Cartwright leading the way with 26 points and seven assists.

But the same man who threatened to put NZ into a winning position also was incredibly expensive in the endgame with some diabolical decision-making.

An impressive Max Mackinnon swished two free throws with 13 seconds remaining to give Brisbane an 88-85 lead and everyone in the building - and watching on TV - knew Jackson-Cartwright would jack one up for the tie.

He had zero space to get the shot off, yet he still tried to be the hero, Mitch Norton blocking it.

Velicka could have sealed it then from the stripe but aborted two more hideous free throws, PJC racing the ball forward. Yet again everyone knew he would jack the shot, and he did, finishing the night on 9-of-26 shooting - double the shot attempts of the next Breaker, Sam Menennga on 13.

Of course it was little more than a hope and heave, while standing to his left, Dejan Vasiljevic - 4-of-6 from beyond the arc and 10-of-16 in NZ's two games - stood free just metres from him.

Another 3-point specialist, Kouat Noi, also was on the floor.

Someone needs to tell PJC that this season, he has a very capable supporting crew around him and he no longer needs to feel everything rides on his shoulders.

Just ask Velicka, who was very happy to set up teammates and come away with the W.

Round 1, Tuesday Result

Brisbane Bullets 88 (Velicka 23, Harrison 22, Hinton 14; Hinton 8 rebs; Velicka 14 assts) d New Zealand Breakers 85 (Jackson-Cartwright 26, Vasiljevic 17, Mennenga 12, King 11; Bediako 8 rebs; Jackson-Cartwright 7 assts) at Pat Rafter Arena.

Wednesday - Round 2: Tasmania at Cairns