The Tasmania JackJumpers have started 2023 in fine style, trouncing South East Melbourne Phoenix 99-74 at MyState Bank Arena.
The JackJumpers' commanding 32-18 opening quarter, underpinned by their extended defensive pressure, paved the way for Sunday's rout.
The error-strewn Phoenix coughed up 25 turnovers, routinely unable to even advance the ball past halfway.
Their lack of fight was so palpable NBL legend and television commentator Andrew Gaze remarked: "What's more disappointing for the Phoenix is, right now, they've put up the white flag."
Phoenix's woes were compounded when guard Trey Kel III injured his left knee late in the second quarter, sitting out the rest of the match.
Injury, COVID-19 and illness almost stopped SEM from taking the court, coach Simon Mitchell earlier in the week saying as many as seven players were in doubt.
Star import Milton Doyle (25 points, seven assists, six steals) dominated at both ends for the JackJumpers and emerging guard Isaac White (18 points in 20 minutes) enjoyed the finest game of his career.
Alan Williams (21 points) and Mitch Creek (18) were Phoenix's only two genuine scoring avenues, particularly early when they combined, incredibly, for the visitors' first 29 points.
White came off the bench late in the opening stanza and rifled 10 points in barely a minute as the JackJumpers asserted their supremacy.
White exceeded his previous career-high well before halftime as the turnover-fest continued for SEM.
After the visitors started the third period with a 7-0 burst to close to 57-50, the JackJumpers called a time-out and duly went on a 20-5 tear.
The procession continued in the fourth when Doyle stripped Creek before lobbing a pass to Rashard Kelly, who flew for a spectacular alley-oop dunk.
