Breaker's warning: Shut one down, another steps up

The New Zealand Breakers showed how dangerous they can be on Sunday, defeating the Illawarra Hawks 95-81 in their season-opener.

The catalyst for that triumph was the play of the Breakers' 'big three', Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Sam Mennenga and Dejan Vasiljevic, who all scored more than 20 points at Spark Arena.

New Zealand will look to show how potent they can be offensively once again when they travel to Pat Rafter Arena on Tuesday to face Brisbane.

"It will be interesting to see what they (Brisbane) do [defensively], but when you have a point guard and a big man who average 20-plus points, it makes my life easier and hopefully, I do the same for them," Breakers sharpshooter Vasiljevic said to Breakers Media.

"Everyone is versatile, and everyone is good in their own role.

"It is not just how do we stop Sam, or Parker, or DJ.

"We saw Reuben [Te Rangi] make shots, Zay [Izayah Le'afa] will have his moments, Carlin [Davison], other people will step up if they try and shut us down."

Tuesday's Round 1 clash will be an Open Air affair at Pat Rafter Arena, the first time an NBL fixture has ever been played at the venue.

"I played one (Open Air Game) last year against Perth, but it didn't last long; they shut the roof at half-time because of the weather. That is the only one I have been a part of," Vasiljevic added.

"This arena is more enclosed; it is open in certain parts, but it won't affect anyone's shooting ability, that is for sure."

"This is [going to be] awesome, good weather, and I think it will be a good atmosphere."

The match tips off at 7.30pm AEST, live on ESPN.