Dyson Daniels came up big in a showdown with a fellow Aussie.
Plus Josh Green’s Charlotte Hornets continued their impressive stretch with another statement.
Daniels tallied 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting with nine assists and the Atlanta Hawks downed the Indiana Pacers 132-116 on Tuesday (all times AEDT).
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The rising Aussie hit his first 3-pointer since December 15 in a part of his game he’s struggled this season including shooting just under 11 per cent from beyond the arc.
Daniels also threw down a thunderous post slam over Micah Potter in the first quarter in one of the highlights of the game.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 26 points and second-year Aussie Aussie Johnny Furphy put up six points, five rebounds and two steals and finished with a team-high +15 plus/minus in 18 minutes.
C.J. McCollum came off the bench to produce 23 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals to spark the Hawks and Nickeil Alexnder-Walker added 21 points.
The Hawks improved to 23-25 with their ninth home victory in 22 games including three wins in a row.
It saw Atlanta consolidate its play-in spot, now three games ahead of the East’s No. 11 seed, the Milwaukee Bucks.
But the Hornets are coming with a rush after another big win to sit half a game behind Milwaukee.
Brandon Miller scored 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Charlotte’s 130-93 blowout of Philadelphia after severe weather forced early starts for two NBA games.
Opening tipoffs were moved back for the two opening games on Tuesday after a severe winter storm on Monday that dumped ice and snow over most of the United States.
The Hornets, 19-28, stretched their win streak to three games while the 76ers fell to 24-21.
Charlotte has now won eight of its past 13 games including victories over Oklahoma City, the Lakers, Denver, Orlando and now Philadelphia.
Miller made 9-of-12 shots from the floor, including 6-of-9 from three-point range, and was 6-of-6 from the free throw line to lead the Hawks, who had seven other double-figure scorers but none over 13 points.
That included Josh Green, who had 12 points including 5-of-5 shooting from the free throw line, with four assists, a three, and a steal with a +21 plus/minis in 21 minutes off the bench.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the Sixers with 17 points with Tyrese Maxey — third in NBA scoring with 29.9 points a game — managing only six points on 3-of-12 shooting.
ALL RESULTS
Pacers 116 Hawks 132
76ers 93 Hornets 130
Magic – Cavaliers
Trail Blazers – Celtics
Lakers – Bulls
Grizzlies – Rockets
Warriors – Timberwolves