Aussies Abroad: Giddey's stellar season continues

Australian NBA star Josh Giddey has continued his hot form with Chicago, joining LeBron James and Nikola Jokic in an elite statistical club on the run to the post-season.

In the Bulls' 119-111 defeat of Miami, the Melbourne-born guard became only the third NBA player after legends James and Jokic to record 1000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists this season.

Only four players - Jokic, James, Luka Doncic and Domantas Sabonis - reached the mark last season, with Giddey notching those numbers for the first time in four NBA campaigns.

Giddey had posted his seventh triple-double of the season with almost 11 minutes of game time remaining on Thursday (AEDT) and finished with 28 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists.

It was his second-best haul for both points and rebounds in any game this season.

Giddey impressed with a classy pull-up three pointer in transition that stretched the lead to nine points early in the third quarter.

It was one of three triples from six attempts for a player once derided for his shooting capabilities.

The huge performance comes following a slow start to the season for former first-round draft pick Giddey, who has since helped the Bulls book an Eastern Conference play-in berth with wins in four of their past five games. 

Chicago will take plenty of confidence from the win, given the Heat have ended their last two seasons in the play-in tournament and could face them again this time.

The Bulls have two regular-season games remaining against the Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers and are set to start favourites against both given their disappointing campaigns.

Elsewhere, Doncic made a triumphant return to Dallas as the Los Angeles Lakers locked up a play-off spot with their 112-97 defeat of his former side.

Returning for the first time since the mid-season trade that shocked basketball, Doncic posted an equal-season high 45 points to go with eight rebounds and four steals.

Doncic received a warm reception from the Texas crowd, with a cheer ringing out when he entered the court before a tribute video was played on big screens in American Airlines Centre.

"Brought tears to my eyes," Doncic told ESPN.

"I came as a young kid here, was 18, and not knowing what to expect from NBA, and (the Mavericks) made me feel like home, and it's just a lot of great, great memories."

Right after tip-off, the chant "Fire Nico" broke out, directed toward Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison who traded Doncic.

Lakers veteran James moved into outright second on the list of most NBA regular-season games, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with his 1561st appearance.

Only legendary centre Robert Parish (1611) has more than the 40-year-old James.

Orlando's 96-76 defeat of reigning NBA champions Boston in Florida clinched seventh place in the East for the Magic and the top spot in the play-in tournament.

Franz Wagner scored 23 points for the hosts, while Cole Anthony pitched in 18 from the bench.