NBA-bound Josh Giddey has become the first Australian in NBL history to notch back-to-back triple doubles while steering the Adelaide 36ers to a comprehensive 101-79 dismantling of the Brisbane Bullets.
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The 18-year-old playmaking wizard, who nominated for the NBA draft during the week and is touted as a lottery pick, collected 15 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists in Adelaide on Saturday night.
It trumped his 12-10-10 trifecta in Monday's loss to New Zealand Breakers in Launceston.
Captain Daniel Johnson, playing his 350th game, stroked 20 of his 26 points in the first half to put the Sixers in firm control, while athletic forward Keanu Pinder (19 points, seven boards, three blocks) enjoyed his best game in Adelaide colours.
"We had 29 assists, Josh had a bunch, but we really passed the ball and shared it," 36ers coach Conner Henry said.
"When we share the basketball and make simple plays, we're effective.
"Josh is just playing at a really high level now.
"His confidence continues to get higher."
Bullets skipper Nathan Sobey (20 points, eight assists) and centre Matt Hodgson (19 points including four dunks, nine rebounds) threw everything at their old side, but the 36ers were in total control from quarter-time onwards.
They turned a 22-23 deficit at the first change into a 55-47 buffer at half-time thanks chiefly to Johnson's dominance before strangling the tiring Bullets 20-12 in the third period, Pinder going off for 12 points inside five minutes to extend Adelaide's advantage to 75-59 at three-quarter-time.
After Sobey's stepback three halfway through the fourth made it a 12-point ball-game, the 36ers called time-out and never looked back as Giddey blew the margin out by making a series of smart plays - and NBL history.
"People will make their own decision on this and call it an excuse but the impact on what happened to us last week showed," said Brisbane coach Andrej Lemanis, referring to being forced to quarantine for five days after returning from Perth.
"Mentally, we weren't where we were meant to be, physically we lacked a bit of grunt.
"Ultimately our inability to put the ball in the basket at a good rate over the course of the game is something that wears on you and is tough to overcome."
Australian Associated Press
