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TO be completely fair, Milton Doyle was not exactly enjoying a stand-out game for Melbourne in his NBL homecoming opener against Tasmania. But there it was. When United needed a big bucket, like the three he struck to end the first quarter for the lead, or the step-back in the second to again restore the lead, there he was.

When it comes to making the big shots, the ones that truly make a difference, yep, there he still is.

JackJumpers fans needed no reminder. It's not as if they're liable to soon forget the many big shots one of their championship heroes hit during his time on the Island.

Just as no Perth fan will soon forget the many match-winners Bryce Cotton stroked during his time as a Wildcat, Doyle, on a poor shooting night (7-of-21), saved his best for last, 13 of his 22 points coming in the final quarter.

And that included United's last seven points of the game after Shea Ili tied it from the stripe at 81-81. That followed an ill-conceived foul by Will Magnay on a corner three attempt by Ili.

David Johnson's 3-pointer had given Tasmania an 81-79 buffer, the foul opening the closing door for Melbourne.

Doyle's jumpshot then broke the 81-81 deadlock, before his 3-point swish made it 86-81.

Bryce Hamilton nailed a big three to keep the contest alive but knowing the Jackies would be forced to foul, United wisely had the ball in Doyle's hands for the final nails.

Apart from a couple of chronic turnovers - he had five for the night - Hamilton was exceptional, his game-high 24 points on 61 per cent shooting.

Johnson enjoyed a double-double with 22 points at 54 per cent, 10 rebounds and while Doyle ensured it was impoissible for Tasmania fans to forget him, the Ants have found a couple of gems in his place.

Typically, Melbourne had a host of contributors, Ili high among them but Jesse Edwards solid with a 10-point, 10-boards double, Finn Delany with 12 and 8 and Tyson Walker - ruffled by Ben Ayre - still with 14 points.

And just to make doubly sure no-one forgot him either, Tassie's championship back-up big, Fabijan Krslovic, also made a whopping debut for United, leading the game with 12 rebounds in 19:50 of action.

NBL Round 1

Melbourne United 88 (Doyle 22, Walker 14, Ili, Delany 12, Edwards 10; Krslovic 12 rebs; Edwards, Ili, Doyle 3 assts) d Tasmania JackJumpers 84 (Hamilton 24, Johnson 22, Bannan 9; Jolhnson 10 rebs; Ayre, Campbell 4 assts) on the Anthill, MyState Bank Arena. Crowd: 4,340

Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament

Panathinaikos 91 (Nunn 21, Yurtseven 20, Rogkavopoulos 10; Yurtseven 13 rebs; Nunn 8 assts) d Partizan 82 (Washington 19, Parker 18, Osetkowski 16, Brown 13; Parker 8 rebs; Brown 5 assts) at John Cain Arena. Crowd: 10,500

NBL Round 1 Tonight

Brisbane faces a tough challenge, opening the season on the road to Blitz champion New Zealand, more eyes on new coach Stu Lash than on his new faces in the team.

Provided Parker Jackson-Cartwright (ribs) is fit to play, odds favour the home team but both clubs have a point to make, most so-called experts and pundits interchanging them as the likely wooden spooners.