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WHAT a difference in your team perception the return of two potential stars makes as we saw in Auckland where Tyrell Harrison and Alex Ducas showed just why writing off Brisbane was premature as the Bullets further harmed the credibility of "homecourt advantage" with a 104-95 win.

Harrison monstered the New Zealand frontline for 24 points at 73 per cent and 15 rebounds and Ducas was an invaluable scorer off the bench as Brisbane won every quarter despite the best efforts of Parker Jackson-Cartwright (16 points, 12 assists) and Ray Borner Medallist Izaiah Brockington (16 points at 64 per cent).

Unfortunately for the Breakers, PJC also committed six turnovers and Brockington four, the cause further not aided by an erratic substitution pattern by coach Peteri Koponen.

In a match which saw 26 lead changes and Brisbane losing playmaking warrior Mitch Norton to injury after just 6:26 of action, it was the Bullets showing composure when it mattered.

With the influx of so many new faces to the NBL, it was timely Casey Prather reminded everyone of his bona fides as a champion in this league and her certainly did that.

Prather went off for a game-high 27 points and at times looked unstoppable, fellow imports Javon Freeman-Liberty (17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 block) and Jaylen Adams (14 points, 7 assists, 5 steals) reinforcing how Brisbane's import trio goes will likely determine many of its results this season.

Sam McDaniel brought his usual efficiency at both ends of the floor while for the Breakers, Koponen erred in not finding more time for Carlin Davison (12 points at 60 per cent, 5 rebounds in 20 minutes) and Karim Lopez.

Sadly, at least two of the three Kiwis returning from mainland Australian outfits, namely Reuben Te Rangi, Rob Loe and Izaya Le'Afa, played as though they were gearing for the Masters Games.

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

Brisbane Bullets 104 (Prather 27, Harrison 24, Freeman-Liberty 17, Adams 14, Ducas, McDaniel 10; Harrison 15 rebs; Adams 7 assts) d New Zealand Breakers 95 (Brockington, Jackson-Cartwright 16, Menenga 14, Davison, Baker, Te Rangi 12; Mennenga 8 rebs; Jackson-Cartwright 12 assts) at Spark Arena, Auckland. Crowd: 

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

With Sam Waadenburg's ankle surgery now ruling him until most likely December, Cairns' chances of being in the post-season have nosedived, and its chances against South East Melbourne even moreso.

Backing up from their thrilling home loss to Melbourne United, Tasmania looks unlikely to have the manpower to take out the newlook Wildcats in Perth, "new look" being the operative words.