Giddey stuffs stats sheet, powers Bulls’ unbeaten run
Murray Wenzel |
With the job done, Josh Giddey took a seat two rebounds shy of a triple-double as Chicago’s impressive NBA season start continued against Sacramento.
The Boomers point guard, re-signed on a $150 million, four-year deal in the off-season, has earned rave reviews on the Bulls’ charge to 4-0 for the first time since 2011.
A 126-113 defeat of the Kings on Thursday (AEST) was their most dominant yet, the comfortable margin allowing Giddey to check out with four minutes still to play and 20 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds to his name.
Zach LaVine had 30 points for Sacramento (1-4), against his former side, while the efforts of Russell Westbrook (12 points), DeMar DeRozan (19 points) and Domantas Sabonis (18 points, 11 rebounds) weren’t enough to stop Giddey’s Bulls.
The 23-year-old is averaging 19.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game, while his three-point percentage is nudging 43.
Giddey’s combination with small forward Matas Buzelis (27 points, five rebounds, two assists) has excited the fan base.
“I’m just happy we’re executing and we’re playing physical,” the Chicago-born future Lithuanian international said.
“We all got a winning mentality. So this is a good group. I’m excited what the future has for us.”
And his positive influence – and financial reward – has validated the decision to leave last year’s title winners Oklahoma City for greater opportunities.
Kevin Huerter (18 points) and Nikola Vuevic (13 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists) were also impressive as Chicago overturned a two-point halftime deficit.
The Bulls will look to improve to 5-0 against New York on Monday.
Dyson Daniels’ Atlanta (2-3) held off the winless Nets in Brooklyn, but even after an early injury to back-court star Trae Young, the Australian guard’s offensive struggles continued.
The Hawks, who battled to score in the final minutes, clung on for a 117-112 win as Daniels finished with seven points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals.
While Daniels’ defence was stout, he made just three-of-10 shots from the field, again frustrated by missed attempts around the rim.
Daniels, who matched Giddey with his own $150 million extension earlier this month, is yet to score more than eight points or shoot better than 50 per cent in five games this season.
Young was forced out of the game after logging just seven minutes with a knee sprain, but coach Quin Snyder ruled out an anterior cruciate ligament tear to his star post-game.
Jalen Johnson (23 points) picked up the slack, but more will be asked of Daniels offensively while Young is sidelined.
In Dallas, star Mavericks forward Anthony Davis left the game against the Indiana Pacers late in the first quarter of their 107-105 win with left lower-leg soreness and didn’t return.
It comes after the 32-year-old, 10-time All-Star suffered an adductor injury in his Mavs home debut last season, a week after being acquired from the Lakers in the controversial trade that sent Luka Doncic to Los Angeles.
With AP
AAP
