Max shoots Bullets to consecutive wins

The Brisbane Bullets continued to build momentum to open NBL27, with rookie gun Max Mackinnon breaking out with 31 points and six three-pointers to secure back-to-back wins over the Illawarra Hawks, 103-95.

The Bullets opened their season at Pat Rafter Arena on Monday night coming from behind to beat the New Zealand Breakers while the Hawks opened the new campaign with a road loss to the Breakers on Sunday.

Unlike on Monday night when the Bullets had to come from behind, this time at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre they were the ones leading all evening including by as much as 18 points.

Things still got tense late with a three ball to Kelan Martin that brought the Hawks back within one, but Mackinnon responded again with his sixth three of the game and the Bullets went on to win by eight to go to 2-0 under new coach Will Weaver.

Mackinnon was spectacular in his second game back from college with LSU, with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists on 6/8 shooting from three.

Arnas Velička backed up his incredible debut with another 17 points and 11 assists with Nate Hinton contributing 16 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.

Then there was big men duo Tyrell Harrison (17 points, five rebounds, four assists) and Jacob Holt (12 points, four boards) who had a significant impact.

The Hawks missed eight consecutive free throws at one-point and went 5/14 for the game with Tyler Harvey top scoring with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Milton Doyle finished with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists, Davo Hickey 11 points, six boards and two blocks, and Sam Froling 10 points and 10 rebounds in his 200th game.

It was Johny Narkle who produced his best NBL performance, though, with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists while being +12 in 22 minutes.

The Bullets had the momentum of how they finished on Monday to beat the New Zealand Breakers and started well as a result with a 25-18 first quarter against the Hawks.

Arnas Velička had another strong start too after his historic debut performance with eight points and three assists in the opening frame while the Hawks missed all five of their outside shots.

Max Mackinnon then exploded for the Bullets in the second quarter and the rookie shooter was up to 14 points by half-time on 3/5 outside shooting.

Brisbane led 50-42 at half-time, but the Hawks stayed in touch largely thanks to 13 points from new Aussie Tyler Harvey.

Mackinnon added another 10 points including two more three balls in the third quarter but Milton Doyle was up to 14 points for Illawarra and Johny Narkle 11 by three quarter-time.

Brisbane were clinging to the 73-66 lead but Illawarra were shooting themselves in the foot having missed their past eight free-throw attempts.

Justin Tatum then had to call an early timeout in the fourth quarter after a sloppy Milton Doyle pass led to a Mackinnon breakaway layup, but still the Hawks were able to hang around and keep things interesting.

All of a sudden Kelan Martin drained a three-pointer from the corner with 2:30 to play to make it a one-point ball game but it was Mackinnon who responded with 1:30 left with his sixth three-pointer of the game to be up to 29 points.

Nate Hinton hit the dagger triple with 43 seconds to go to put the Bullets back up nine and they went on to make it back-to-back wins to start the new season.

The Bullets will now play on the road for the first time this season up against the Sydney Kings on Wednesday night with the Hawks staying on the road to Sydney also on Sunday.

BRISBANE BULLETS 103 – ILLAWARRA HAWKS 95

Brisbane Bullets
Max Mackinnon – 31 points, 12 rebounds, 6/8 3PT
Tyrell Harrison – 17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Arnas Velička – 17 points, 11 assists, 4 rebounds
Nate Hinton – 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals
Jacob Holt – 12 points, 4 rebounds

Illawarra Hawks
Tyler Harvey – 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
Milton Doyle – 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
Johny Narkle – 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Davo Hickey – 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks
Sam Froling – 10 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists