Australian stars Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels went head-to-head in Chicago, and it was clear who got the early bragging rights on Tuesday morning (AEDT).
The close mates matched up against each other on a number of instances, but it was Bulls standout Giddey who did the business in the first half.
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Giddey committed two turnovers in the opening five minutes as Daniels swooped for two steals in the first period to continue his decorated defensive streak.
But Giddey then blocked a Daniels layup attempt in a sequence that led to a Bulls basket, with the pair going at each other on numerous occasions.
The Bulls’ floor general had six points and four rebounds in the first quarter despite entering the game with a minor finger injury concern. Both Aussies were rotated off the court after eight minutes of action.
Giddey has continued to shoot the three-ball with confidence, knocking one down in the second quarter while Daniels was still on the bench.
His Australian counterpart returned later in the second period but was unable to exert an offensive impact.
Daniels, who has seen his role on offence minimised since the return of forward Jalen Johnson from injury, recorded his third steal of the game in the second quarter despite having no points to his name.
“That’s what Dyson Daniels does as well as any player in the league; just constantly looking for the ball,” said Bulls broadcast play-by-play caller Adam Amin.
Meanwhile, Giddey led Chicago for scoring in the first half with 12 points on 5-7 field goal shooting. He’d also totalled nine rebounds and two assists.
Late in the half, Daniels fouled Giddey hard after the Bulls guard spun impressively on the Hawk on his way to the basket.
“(Giddey) put (Daniels) in the spin cycle that time — they had to foul him, or that was going to be a layup,” special comments analyst Stacey King said.
Amin added: “No love lost between Melbourne and Bendigo, their two hometowns.”
The Bulls, perfect through two games, were looking for their first 3-0 start in four years.
Star Chicago combo-guard Coby White remains sidelined with a calf strain, set to return in early November, while Zaccharie Risacher and Kristaps Porzingis returned to the floor for the Hawks.