A balanced performance from Dyson Daniels and Jock Landale's Atlanta Hawks hasn't been enough to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo, and an improved performance from Bam Adebayo, in the NBA.
Antetokounmpo had 24 points and 18 rebounds in his first victory with the Heat, leading Miami over the Hawks 129-117 on Wednesday night (Thursday AEDT).
Adebayo also had 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Heat, who lost their first four games after acquiring Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee in the offseason.
Adebayo is now his team's career leader in rebounds, passing Udonis Haslem.
Boomers guard Daniels provided his usual defensive instincts and produced three steals and a block, but was limited offensively, scoring just seven points to go with four rebounds and seven assists.
His fellow Australian Landale was impactful off the bench and scored 10 points to go with six rebounds, in just 16 minutes on court.
Andrew Wiggins scored 18 points and Pelle Larsson had 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds for the Heat, who shot 53 per cent from the field and had a whopping 70 points in the paint.
Rookie Kingston Flemings and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each scored 23 points for the Hawks, who have dropped three in a row after opening the season with consecutive wins. Jalen Johnson shot just 4 for 12 and finished with 12 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds.
In Chicago, Josh Giddey's Bulls pushed the NBA defending champions the New York Knicks all the way in a 133-127 loss.
Giddey provided 11 assists and helped keep the now 1-5 Bulls in the contest with crucial dimes late, but Jalen Brunson's 38 points lifted the Knicks to victory.
Giddey was two rebounds shy of a triple-double, scoring 10 points and collecting eight boards to go with his assists.
Another Aussie, Tyrese Proctor, had limited opportunities for Cleveland in their 121-111 win over Washington.
Proctor made his only shot of the night, scoring two points, grabbing one rebound and providing one assist in six minutes of game time.
Cleveland's Evan Mobley top-scored in the clash, providing 24 points, including 5/6 from beyond the arc, as well as collecting 12 rebounds.
It spoiled No.1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa's NBA debut for Washington.
Dybantsa missed the first four games of the season with an ankle sprain, but made an immediate impact on Thursday AEDT, scoring a team-high 19 points on 8/12 shooting.
In Indianapolis, Tyrese Maxey scored 27 points, including two 3-pointers in the final 1 1/2 minutes, to lift the Philadelphia 76ers to a 114-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Joel Embiid had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who rebounded from a dismal start to the second half. Jaylen Brown had 20 points and 10 boards, Anfernee Simons scored 20 points off the bench and LeBron James added 13 points and 10 assists.
Maxey’s second 3-pointer gave the 76ers a 112-106 lead with 46 seconds left.
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined with a left hamstring strain. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he expected Haliburton will be out at least two weeks.
Elsewhere, Cade Cunningham scored 30 points to help the Detroit Pistons hold off the Charlotte Hornets 97-89, the Raptors beat the Magic 129-99 and the Nuggets beat the Pelicans 104-91.
With AP
