Aussies Abroad: Boomers duo win bragging rights

Boomers teammates Dyson Daniels and Jock Landale have grabbed bragging rights over compatriot Tyrese Proctor as they helped the Atlanta Hawks snap a three-game NBA losing streak with a narrow win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Atlanta held on for a nail-biting 114-111 home victory on Thursday night (Friday AEDT) to improve to 3-3, in the process ending a three-game winning streak for Cleveland (3-2).

Defensive ace Daniels had four points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal for the Hawks.

Landale, wearing a protective face guard, made the most of his 15 minutes of court time, nailing two of his four three-point attempts to finish with six points, one assist and an impressive 10 rebounds.

Donovan Mitchell cut Atlanta’s lead to one on a driving lay-up with 20.6 seconds remaining. Nickeil Alexander-Walker made two free throws with 15.3 left to take the lead back to three, and Mitchell got two potential tying looks off on the final possession, but misfired on both.

Onyeka Okongwu scored a season-high 29 points and had 12 rebounds for the Hawks.

Alexander-Walker added 25 points for Atlanta, and Aaron Wiggins scored 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting off the bench.

Proctor played his part for Cleveland, chipping in with seven points, six rebounds and two assists from his 20 minutes on the court.

James Harden led the Cavs with 24 points, followed by Mitchell with 22.

Cleveland darted out to a 15-point first-quarter lead, the fourth consecutive game the Hawks have trailed by at least 15 points.

Atlanta’s 16 first-quarter points were their lowest mark for any period this season, but the home side quickly turned the tables by forcing Cleveland into their joint-lowest scoring quarter of the campaign, also with 16.

Atlanta rallied with a 19-2 run in the second quarter, flipping a 35-24 deficit into a 43-37 lead.

The game was the second half of a double-header at State Farm Arena after the Atlanta Dream, featuring another Australian, Izzy Borlase, defeated the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals.

In Oregon, Cameron Boozer had the first triple-double of his NBA career with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Trail Blazers 124-103 to move to 5-0 for the season.

The Grizzlies had seven other players in double-figures, including three players off the bench.

Deni Avdija led the Blazers with 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

In New Orleans, Jeremiah Fears had 22 points, a career-high 13 assists and eight rebounds to lead the Pelicans to a 132-120 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Zion Williamson had an efficient night with 22 points on 10-of-12 from the floor, with all of those made shots coming in the paint. Trey Murphy III added 18 as New Orleans (1-4) opened their season’s account.

Rookie Darius Acuff Jr scored a career-best 34 points to go along with 12 assists for the Kings (0-5).