Giddey puts the heat on Miami with 24 big points

• Dante Exum has settled straight back into the Dallas line-up
• Josh Giddey is playing solid basketball for the Bulls
• Patty Mills got garbage time minutes in his first game for the Clippers

Australian guard Dante Exum has hit the ground running after coming back from off-season surgery.

Exum scored 14 points on 6-from-10 shooting in the Mavericks 118-116 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia.

It was the first game the Mavs have played since the bombshell, blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.

Davis didn't play. He's still out with injury.

The contest was a tale of two halves, with momentum swinging wildly between the teams. Dallas came out strong in the first half, building a 65-58 lead at the break behind Kyrie Irving's hot shooting. However, the 76ers roared back in the third quarter, outscoring the Mavericks 36-22 to take control of the game.

Joel Embiid, despite struggling with his shot at times, showcased his all-around brilliance with a triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

The statistics tell the story of a closely contested affair. While Dallas shot a respectable 47.1% from the field, Philadelphia's 54.7% shooting proved to be the difference. The 76ers also dominated the assist battle, dishing out 37 dimes to the Mavericks' 24, showcasing their superior ball movement throughout the night.

For the Mavericks, this loss is tough but the NBA is eagerly anticipation Davis' inclusion in their line-up.

Houston Rockets @ Brooklyn Nets

Ben Simmons didn't suit up for the Nets in their 99-97 home win against the Houston Rockets.

Australian centre Jock Landale was a DNP-coach's decision.

Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Australian point guard Josh Giddey is rolling midway through his first season with the Chicago Bulls.

Giddey dropped 24 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished seven assists and had a steal in the Bulls' 133-124 win against the Heat.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Los Angeles Clippers

Australian point guard Patty Mills got into the game late as the Clippers were blown out by the Los Angeles Lakers 122-97.

Mills was traded to the Clippers from Utah on February 2, 2025. Mills played seven minutes and went 0-from-3 from the field.

Newly-minted Laker Luka Doncic sat on the bench as teammate LeBron James went for 26 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, a steal and two blocks.

Indiana Pacers @ Portland Trail Blazers

Indiana's Johnny Furphy and Portland's Duop Reath both logged minutes in the Blazers 112-99 win against the Pacers.

Australian forward Furphy played four minutes without recording a stat while Australian centre Duop Reath logged two minutes, hit a three and knocked down two free throws to finish with five points.