Giddey joins greats in rare air; big delivers clutch heroics in dual Aussie explosion — NBA Wrap
Josh Giddey recorded his sixth triple-double for the season and moved into rare air for the Chicago Bulls in an upset win over the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers.
Plus Jock Landale caught fire with a career-best feat and starred in the clutch as the Memphis Grizzlies pulled out their own underdog victory in a big day for the Aussies in the NBA.
Giddey racked up 23 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, a block and an equal career-high five threes and Chicago cruised to a 127-111 home win over Cleveland on Thursday (all times AEDT).
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It saw the 23-year old Aussie move into third all-time on Chicago’s triple-double list (13 from 94 games) behind only Scottie Pippen (15 from 856 games) and Michael Jordan (28 from 930 games).
Giddey joined Jordan as the only Bulls player with double-digit triple-doubles, while he’s the first player in franchise history to secure a triple-double with five-plus threes.
He also became the first Bulls player with 400-plus points, 200-plus rebounds and 200-plus assists in the first 25 games of the season.
Giddey and Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson are tied with the equal second-most triple-doubles this season behind Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic (12).
Josh Giddey fired against the Cavs (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Giddey was bright spot for Chicago when it was down on the scoreboard early, tallying eight points, two triples and three rebounds in the first term.
The Bulls gathered momentum in the second quarter, winning the period 29-24 to take a 62-58 lead at half-time.
Chicago opened the second half on a 7-0 run including back-to-back dishes from Giddey to give the hosts a game-high 11-point lead.
That lead went out to as much as 14 in the third term before Cleveland gradually clawed it back. It included a Thomas Bryant dunk pulling Chicago’s advantage back to 93-88 in the final minute of the period.
A big Giddey three in the first minute of the fourth term pushed the Bulls lead back out to double-figures at 98-88. And the Bulls, who led by as much as 19 in the fourth term, never let Cleveland back into it.
“Best game the Bulls have played in a month and a half,” Bulls commentator Adam Amin said during the fourth quarter.
Fellow caller Stacey King added: “They look like a totally different team.”
Coby White put up 25 points for Chicago and Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and nine rebounds.
It marked the Bulls’ first home win since November 22nd — 25 days ago — and their first win over Cleveland since February 2024 — 658 days ago.
“We’ve been trying to get back here for a while now,” Giddey said post-match.
“We started the season off the right way and obliviously we went through a tough stretch over the last 10 or so games.
“I thought tonight was a really, really good step in the eight direction against a really good team. And a team in a similar situation to us in terms of they haven’t been playing their best of late.
“So great win. These fans show out every night for us, so we have to give them something to cheer for. I thought tonight was a really good step in the right direction.”
Giddey post-match embraced with fellow Aussie and Cavs rookie Tyrese Proctor, who played only seven minutes.
The 11-15 Bulls have now won two of their last three games, with a loss to New Orleans wedged between, following a seven-game losing streak.
Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 32 points for Cleveland, but it wasn’t enough as the Cavs continue to dwindle.
They’ve won just three of their past 10 games to fall to 15-13 overall after going into the season as the favourites to come out of the Eastern Conference.
Cleveland has been impacted by injury woes all season including Even Mobley currently sidelined with a calf issue.
The two sides will meet again in Cleveland on Saturday.
In Minnesota, Landale put up a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double off the bench and got hot down the stretch in Memphis’ 116-110 win over the Timberwolves.
Landale drained a career-best four triples — three in the fourth term alone — and finished with a +19 — the second best plus/minus of any player.
It included the Aussie big man hitting two big threes in the dying minutes of the game to help close out the win for the Grizzlies.
Jock Landale celebrates after making a 3-point shot . (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)Source: AP
The 30-year old shot 8-of-15 from the field overall with two steals and a block in his 30 minutes.
It marked Landale’s second 20 and 10 game for Memphis to continue the Aussie big man’s career-best NBA season at his fourth team.
Landale starred alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. (28 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks) for an undermanned Grizzlies team missing Ja Morant, Zach Edey and Cam Spencer.
“It’s just a testament to everyone kind of staying ready at all times and being able to step in on a moment’s notice,” Landale post-match.
“It was cool (to see some big shots fall). Just try and make the right play, and if I’m open, I’ll let it go. If not, I’ll kick it somewhere else.
“I try not to overthink the game and my level of aggressiveness and I try and make the best of the opportunity I get.
“I put in a lot of work with my boy Mike in the off-season and it is nice to see it kind of come to fruition and be playing with a confidence in that shot.
“It’s an asset to any team and I think having versatility with Jaren and the big forwards we have out there, it makes it hard (for the opposition) when you have five on the perimeter.
“Hopefully it’s something I can keep growing and using when necessary. Not forgetting, at the end of the day, I’m a five and I’ve got to roll and put pressure on the rim as well. It’s fun.”
Julius Randle’s 21 points led all five Timberwolves starters in double figures, while Anthony Edwards missed a third-straight game with a foot injury.
