Aussies Abroad: Giddey makes Bulls history

By AAP.

Josh Giddey now sits on Chicago's triple-double podium with legendary duo Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen after his Madison Square Garden love affair continued.

The Bulls' unbeaten run was halted but Giddey's NBA All-Star stocks continued to rise with a 23-point triple-double in New York.

The Australian guard's hot form continued in a 128-116 loss to the Knicks on Monday (AEST), with Giddey adding 12 rebounds, 12 assists and two steals in his 19th NBA career triple-double.

Beginning just his second season at the Bulls after a move from Oklahoma City, the 23-year-old already sits third on the club's all-time list with eight triple-doubles. Only Jordan (28) and Pippen (15) boast more for the Bulls.

Giddey, coming off a career-high 32 points on Saturday, again was tremendous as he powerfully attacked the rim and calmly controlled the pace of the Bulls' offence. He shot 52 per cent from the field to notch a fourth triple-double at the famous New York stadium.

The Boomers star is averaging 22.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists while shooting at 40.7 per cent from three-point range.

The stat line, as well as Chicago's 5-1 start to the campaign, has put Giddey in the early conversations for an All-Star debut in February, particularly with the new format set to include one team made up of non-Americans.

But Knicks star Jalen Brunson (31 points) led the Knicks with 19 first-quarter points as the hosts buried 20-of-42 triples to end a run of three straight losses.

"When teams don't shoot well it makes things easier for you ... it was going to swing," Giddey said. "We have to find ways to win when teams shoot the ball well."

OG Anunoby contributed 21 points and Karl-Anthony Towns paired 20 points with 15 rebounds for the Knicks, who had lost in Chicago two days earlier.

Jordan Clarkson chipped in with 15 off the bench and Josh Hart had 14 while Nikola Vucovic posted 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Bulls.

In Cleveland, Dyson Daniels (18 points, four rebounds, four steals, three assists) and Atlanta had a forgettable first quarter to blame in a 117-109 loss to the Cavaliers.

The Australian guard was scoreless as the Hawks coughed up an early 14-point lead, before roaring back to lead at halftime. But Donovan Mitchell (37 points on eight three-pointers) scored 24 second-half points and had help from Jaylon Tyson (18 points) to steer the hosts home.

Kristaps Porzingis (15 points, 12 rebounds and five assists) continued his good form for the Hawks, who are without star guard Trae Young (knee) for at least a month.

Boomers centre Jock Landale (14 points, six rebounds) continued his strong form — he's averaging 10 points on 56 per cent shooting this season — in Memphis's 117-104 loss to Toronto.