Starting 5: Cotton's 300th, Gleeson's return and a must-win Throwdown

This seven-game slate features numerous interstate rivalries, five-time champion Trevor Gleeson's first game back in Perth and a milestone for six-time MVP Bryce Cotton.

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All the action tips off on Wednesday night from 7.30pm AEST, when Cairns host Tasmania in their first home game of NBL27.

Pete Hooley takes a look at some of the key storylines ahead of Round 2.

The full schedule

Cairns Taipans v Tasmania JackJumpers - Wednesday, September 23, 7.30pm AEST - Cairns Convention Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

South East Melbourne Phoenix v Melbourne United - Thursday, September 24, 7.30pm AEST - John CainArena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Perth Wildcats v Adelaide 36ers - Thursday, September 24, 9.30pm AEST - RAC Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Brisbane Bullets v Illawarra Hawks - Friday, September 25, 7.30pm AEST - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Perth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers - Saturday, September 26, 9.30pm AEST - RAC Arena
Watch: ESPN, 9Go, 9Now and 9 in Perth | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Adelaide 36ers v Cairns Taipans - Sunday, September 27, 4pm AEST - Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks - Sunday, September 27, 6pm AEST - Afterpay Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Talking points

1 – Throwdown heats up

With both teams coming in off a loss, this Throwdown has a chance to set the tone for the rest of the season.

Melbourne United are looking to bounce back after their heartbreaking opener to Adelaide, while the Phoenix let a big lead slip in Tasmania and want to prove they mean business.

With Nathan Sobey due back for his first game of the season, how does this high-octane Phoenix offence look against Jacob Chance's group?

Perhaps most importantly, could Cole Anthony's minutes restriction be gone?

2 – 300 of the best

Ever since Bryce Cotton's move from Perth to Adelaide, any time the six-time MVP returns to RAC Arena, it's going to be special.

However, the stars could not have aligned more perfectly for Cotton, who will play his 300th game in front of the Red Army on Thursday night.

It will be a special moment for the superstar guard, who has put together one of the best resumes the league has ever seen.

Throw in the fact that it will be Trevor Gleeson's first game back out west and this has emotion written all over it.

3 – Much-needed response

The Illawarra Hawks are looking to respond from their poor performance over in New Zealand and a trip to Brisbane could be just what they need.

Justin Tatum will have demanded a response from his team after they went down by 14 points to the Breakers.

With ESPN's Olgun Uluc reporting that Darius Days is set to part ways with the club, the Hawks need a foundation to launch their season forward.

Tyler Harvey came off the bench and Sam Froling played just 15 minutes, so all eyes will be on the Hawks on Friday.

4 – No Knight, yet

Saturday night will be Perth's second game of the round and reports suggest it will be another game that they'll be without Brandon Knight.

The Red Army are restless and just want to see results on the floor, but with Kristian Doolittle leading the way, they always give themselves a chance.

Three home games to begin the season puts even more importance on Perth to get the job done, having last year lost four home games by one point, after leading by double digits in all of them.

5 – Kings send a message

Kendric Davis had a message for the experts when he touched down in Sydney, given none had picked the Kings to go back-to-back.

Then, in usual Davis fashion, he walked the walk and helped lead his team to a huge season-opening win over Cairns.

While the star guard led from the front, he had plenty of help from the likes of Matthew Dellavadova and Xavier Cooks, as they put the Taipans to the sword.

The first rivalry instalment against the Hawks will be another opportunity to set the tone on the season.

Last year, the Kings got the job done over the Hawks in the series and the year prior it was flipped. What is in store?