Basketball On The Internet.

IF it wasn't for the different uniforms, you could have sworn it was Sydney touching up Cairns all over again last night.

There was AJ Ogilvy doing a Julian Khazzouh. And Kirk Penney replicating Jason Cadee.

Except Penney over-achieved, knocking down a season's-best 36 points in his first game for Illawarra against his former New Zealand Breakers outfit.

Showing no signs of hesitation or reservations against his old club, Penney was instrumental in the 96-75 win and it started early.

After Tom Abercrombie's slam got the Breakers rolling to a 7-0 start at the Sandpit, first Ogilvy, then Penney took over to blow the Hawks' lead out to 32-19 at the first break.

That means Illawarra went 32-12 after NZ's quick start and by halftime, this was Sydney-Cairns all over again with the Hawks ahead 59-40, Penney with 22.

PENNEY IS MONEY: Kirk stepped it up against the Breakers after splitting United's defence. PICTURE: Quinn Rooney, GETTY IMAGES.

Again missing the experience of Mika Vukona (hamstring), New Zealand was incredibly loose with the ball at key moments, some mind-numbingly dumb turnovers bumping that tally up to 25 for the game.

And star import Cedric Jackson registered his first "DNP" of the season ... even though he was out there for 28:15.

Illawarra had a number of great efforts, Jarrad Weeks once more showing his value.

Who says we don't have enough talent around to fill 10 teams?

FOOTNOTE: Lovely to see on the TV coverage that both teams WEREN'T in their black outfits and there was a great contrast. 

The talent contrasts have been stark too. In Round One, the average winning margin was 13.7 points. Round Two has opened with a 21-point win. We all agree there's parity though, right?

Last night: HAWKS 96 (Penney 36, Ogilvy 23, White 10; Ogilvy 10 rebs; Demos 5 assts) d BREAKERS 75 (Ch Jackson 20, Wesley 14, Ili 12, Abercrombie 11; Ch Jackson 9 rebs; Ce Jackson 6 assts) at The Sandpit, Wollongong.

Tonight: Townsville Crocs visit the Sydney Kings and while I like them for a potential upset, truth is playing in front of a crowd might be unsettling, opening the door to the home team.

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Lightning pair offer Flames insight: http://bit.ly/1OwSVlu