Giddey saves Bulls’ blushes in tense first-up NBA win
Murray Wenzel |
Josh Giddey has stepped up in the Australian’s first NBA game since signing a rich extension with Chicago to save the Bulls’ blushes in a season-opening win.
But there was a foul stench in Atlanta as Giddey’s star Boomers teammate Dyson Daniels, himself fresh off inking a $150 million deal, was blown off the court in a first-up loss to Toronto.
Boomers point guard Giddey, following drawn-out contract talks with the Bulls in the off-season, showed poise on Thursday (AEDT) as the Pistons nullified a 23-point deficit in the final quarter.
On five fouls, Giddey (19 points, 11 assists) returned to dish a go-ahead assist to Nikola Vucevic (28 points, 14 rebounds) and then inch Chicago ahead at the free-throw line in a 115-111 home victory.
It wasn’t always pretty, with a successful challenge late in the final quarter saving Giddey from a seventh turnover and crucially landing him a pair of free throws that iced the contest.
Daniels, the NBA’s most improved player last year after a historic defensive display, had four fouls inside 10 minutes of playing time in Atlanta and was scoreless in the first half.
The 22-year-old finished with just four points, two steals, two assists and three rebounds in 23 minutes, RJ Barrett (25 points, eight rebounds, five assists) the tormenter in a 138-118 Raptors win.
Australian rookie Tyrese Proctor, drafted with the 49th pick, was impressive in his Cleveland debut despite the Cavaliers’ 119-111 loss to New York.
The 21-year-old guard (five points, two assists, one rebound) played 16 minutes after checking in to begin the second quarter.
Boomers centre Jock Landale, waived after struggling for court time at Houston last season, started for Memphis in their 128-122 win against New Orleans and collected 10 points, four rebounds and two blocks.
Superstar teammate Ja Morant had 35 points to lead the Grizzlies.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (37 points) led Milwaukee past Washington 133-120, while Victor Wembanyama had 40 points and 15 rebounds in a highlight-reel return for San Antonio.
The Spurs star helped spoil No.1 overall pick Cooper Flagg’s debut in a 125-92 rout of the Dallas Mavericks.
Flagg, the second-youngest player to start in his NBA debut by two days behind LeBron James, didn’t score until the first possession of the second half, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
France’s 2023 No.1 draft pick added three blocks to several spectacular dunks and a couple of buckets with fouls that sent Anthony Davis (22 points, 13 rebounds) and Dereck Lively II to the bench.
The seven-foot-four sensation was playing in the regular season for the first time since deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot condition in the shoulder, required surgery and ended his second season in February.
Devin Booker scored 31 points as Phoenix overcame a 20-point deficit to beat the Sacramento Kings 120-116 in Jordan Ott’s victorious head coaching debut.
Anthony Edwards (41 points) led Minnesota, who left Australian draftee Rocco Zikarsky off their game-day roster, past Portland 118-114.
Tyrese Maxey had 40 points as Philadelphia edged Boston, 117-116, thanks to a 42-point final quarter and 34 points from rookie VJ Edgecombe, the most in a debut since Wilt Chamberlain.
AAP
