Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australian guard Dyson Daniels has continued his stellar NBA season, scoring another double-double as the soaring Atlanta Hawks routed the Orlando Magic 130-101 for their 17th victory in their past 19 games.
Daniels had 15 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and one steal for the Hawks in Orlando on Wednesday night (Thursday AEDT).
The Aussie’s compatriot Jock Landale, who was also involved in some late-game drama, chipped in with eight points, one rebound and one assist from his eventful 15 minutes on court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 32 points and Jalen Johnson added 18 points and 14 rebounds for Atlanta.
The Hawks swept the season series against the Magic 4-0 and now have a 3.5-game lead over Orlando in the Southeast Division with five games remaining.
Jamal Cain led the Magic with 17 points off the bench. Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr added 14 points each.
The Hawks blew the game open with a 47-point second quarter in which they made 17 of 24 shots.
With 7:30 remaining in the game and the Hawks up 110-89, Magic centre Goga Bitadze drew a flagrant foul 2 (and automatic ejection) for pulling Landale down by the shoulder.
Daniels was given a technical foul for confronting Bitadze after the takedown of his compatriot.
In Miami, Jaylen Brown scored 43 points and Jayson Tatum had his first triple-double of the season as the Boston Celtics rode a record-setting first quarter to beat the Heat 147-129.
Tatum finished with 25 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists for Boston, who scored 53 points in the first quarter – a franchise record that tied the second-highest total for an opening quarter in NBA history.
Sam Hauser added 23 for the Celtics, who are 10-1 in their past 11 games following a loss.
Boston (51-25) hold the No.2 spot in the Eastern Conference race, four games behind Detroit.
Bam Adebayo had 29 points and 10 rebounds for Miami, who tied a franchise record by hitting 24 three-pointers.
Miami remained in the No.10 spot in the East play-in race.
In Chicago, Pascal Siakam scored 25 points as the Indiana Pacers beat the Bulls 145-126 to move out of the NBA basement.
Coming off a home victory over Miami on Sunday, the injury-ravaged Pacers had their highest-scoring game of the season. They improved to 18-58 to move a game ahead of last-placed Washington.
Guerschon Yabusele led Chicago with 20 points, and Collin Sexton had 18. The Bulls have lost five straight to fall to 29-47.
Australian Josh Giddey didn’t play for the Bulls, kept out by a hamstring injury.
– with AAP
