Bullets stun in opener
THE Brisbane Bullets have opened the NBL season with a Cam Gliddon-inspired 86-73 upset of the New Zealand Breakers in Auckland.
Former Cairns Taipans captain Gliddon shook off the effects of back surgery in the offseason to post a game-high 29 points as the visitors took control in the second half.
Both teams were fielding massively changed rosters from last season but it was the Bullets who synchronised better, making fewer mistakes, out-rebounding the undersized hosts and landing nearly half of their 27 three-point shots.
The Bullets, seeking to avoid a third successive wooden spoon, showed they will be no easy-beats.
Boomers shooting guard Gliddon is a key signing, along with American small forward Alonzo Gee and former NBA big man Cam Bairstow.
Gee came alive with 10 points of his 13 points in the second half, along with three offensive rebounds, helping his team go on an 18-0 run during a six-minute purple patch to take control.
Former Chicago Bull Bairstow also impressed as the game wore on, finishing with 14 points in a fine return from ongoing injury problems.
The Breakers weren’t their usual force on the boards and missed the presence of veteran forward Mika Vukona, who shone for the Bullets.
It was a disappointing outcome for the four-time champion Kiwi outfit.