NBL23: Round 1 vs Perth Wildcats at RAC ARENA

NBL23 is here and the Bullets head out West to take on the Perth Wildcats in Round 1.

It’s been a huge off season in Brisbane, with the Bullets adding a number of key pieces to the roster including Aron Baynes, Tyler Johnson and Devondrick Walker ahead of NBL23, along with the return of Nathan Sobey who missed the back end of last season.

With new players added to the squad, pre-season has been a great opportunity for the Bullets to build chemistry as a unit and get minutes into players who are returning from injury.

GAME INFO

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Brisbane Bullets
Tip off: 3pm (AEST), Sunday 2 October, 2022
Where: RAC ARENA, Perth
Watch: 10 Peach, 10 Play and Kayo Freebies

PLAYER TO WATCH

All eyes have been on Aron Baynes this pre-season and for good reason. The NBA veteran is a competitor and adds so much value to the Bullets line-up on and off the court.

“I'm living it, I'm loving it and I'm just trying to improve every day and I'm getting the same feedback from everyone in the group right now," Baynes said in the pre-season.

As he makes his return from injury, Baynes will be a big key to the Bullets. His physicality around the rim and his ability to stretch the floor make him a tough prospect for any opponent. 

KEY MATCHUP

The matchup of new import guard, NBA veteran Tyler Johnson and well-established Wildcats import Bryce Cotton will be exciting for fans to watch.

Johnson is a talented shooter and has the ability to get to the rim to score or create for his teammates.

Former NBL MVP, Cotton is a scorer and draws a lot of defensive attention. He’ll predominantly have the ball in his hands especially down the stretch.  

Both players bring a lot of energy and scoring firepower to their respective rosters. This match up will be fun to watch. 

ON THE RECORD

Ahead of the first game of the NBL23 season in Perth, Hostplus Head Coach James Duncan spoke about working players back onto the court including Nathan Sobey and Aron Baynes.

“It takes time especially for the guys to be completely dominant. It’s still early days and we’ve still got to manage them.”

“It’s just as important for our young core to step in and give us quality minutes so we’re moving in the right direction.”

“It’s a good test for us to see where we are and where we can get to,” JD added regarding their first away game in Perth.

Get TICKETS to the Bullets first home game on Sunday 16 October HERE.