Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Boomers guard Josh Giddey has been unable to get his Chicago Bulls into their game against Boston, as both teams started their NBA Cup campaigns.
The Celtics ran away from the Bulls early in Boston and after leading 44-25 at quarter time and 78-49 at half time, went on to enjoy a 125-111 victory.
The second half was better for the Bulls on Friday (Saturday AEDT) but Boston had taken their foot off a little, and Giddey spent a decent chunk of his 24 minutes on court building chemistry with Chicago’s depth players.
The Australian finished with 13 points, five assists and four rebounds as the Bulls slipped to a 1-5 record to open the season.
Payton Pritchard scored 30 points for the Celtics and Jayson Tatum added 26 points in 34 minutes.
Caleb Wilson had 23 points for the Bulls, who have lost four straight games. Norman Powell finished with 16 points and Matas Buzelis added 14.
In Philadelphia, LeBron James scored 20 points and hit the go-ahead fadeaway late, and Tyrese Maxey had 27 points to lead the 76ers to a 98-93 win over the New York Knicks.
In yet another packed house in Philadelphia with a lively playoff feel, Jalen Brunson hit a 3-pointer for a 90-89 lead with 1:32 that got the first significant rise of the Knicks fans who made the trip.
James then capped his best game of the season with the go-ahead bucket with 1:10 remaining and V.J Edgecombe buried an insurance 3-pointer for the four-point lead. James sealed the win with a tip-in and nearly pulled off a triple-double with nine rebounds and eight assists.
The Sixers are already 2-0 this season against the NBA champion Knicks after beating them in New York on opening night in James’ debut.
Brunson, who appeared to roll an ankle late, scored 24 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 for the Knicks.
Elsewhere, Cade Cunningham scored 20 points, Duncan Robinson added 17 and the Detroit Pistons routed the Brooklyn Nets 110-94 in their NBA Cup opener.
Ron Holland II finished with 16 points off the bench and Paul Reed chipped in 12 for the Pistons, who have won five of their first six games to begin the season for the first time since 2015/16.
Giannis Antetokounmpo continued his impressive form and scored 31 points and had his second triple-double of the season to help Miami beat Indiana 145-125.
Bam Adebayo added 27 points, while Antetokounmpo finished with 17 rebounds and 10 assists in 31 minutes as the Heat won their second straight.
Klay Thompson had his best game since joining Miami, with 25 points and seven 3-pointers. He’s now within 55 of matching former Heat guard Ray Allen (2,973) for third-most 3s in NBA history.
