Auckland: The New Zealand Breakers have scored their first win of the NBL season with a 103-72 victory over the Illawarra Hawks.

After starting 0-2, the Breakers were in desperate need of a triumph and they achieved that goal on the back of an improved shooting display.

The game was billed as a Battle of the Next Stars - RJ Hampton of the Breakers and LaMelo Ball for the Hawks - and both NBA-bound youngsters had their moments.

Hampton took the early honours with a block on Ball in the opening exchanges, while Ball threw down a big dunk in the fourth quarter but neither dominated the game.