NBA rookie season gets better for Giddey

The stellar season of NBA rookie Josh Giddey keeps getting better as the Oklahoma Thunder defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-114 in overtime on Wednesday.

The young Australian posted another double-double with 14 points and 10 assists to help Lu Dort (30) and Tre Mann (29) get the Thunder over the line against the Mavericks, who were inspired by a 40-point effort from Luka Doncic.

It was the Thunder’s second consecutive victory for their first winning streak since taking three straight in December. They avoided a four-game sweep in the season series.

Reggie Bullock had 23 off the bench and Jalen Brunson added 18 for Dallas, who lost consecutive games for the first time since December 13-25.

Giddey also had seven rebounds as Darius Bazley came off the bench to contribute 13 points and 11 assists.

After Kenrich Williams dunked for Oklahoma City on the first possession of overtime, Dort scored the next 14 Thunder points for a 119-112 lead.

Dort went into play averaging 2.4 three-pointers per game and hit six of 10 from behind the arc.

The Thunder saw a game-high 12-point lead 20 seconds into the fourth quarter slowly dwindle away with Bullock’s right corner three giving Dallas a 103-101 lead with 8.5 seconds left in the period.

But Oklahoma City sent the game to overtime on Williams’ layup with 7.5 seconds to go, followed by Doncic missing on a 28-foot three-point shot at the buzzer.

In Boston, the Celtics beat the Charlotte Hornets 113-107 despite a career-best 38 points from former NBL star LaMello Ball.

Josh Richardson made six three-pointers and scored 23 points, Jayson Tatum hit two key free throws and finished with 19 points as Boston held off Charlotte.

Marcus Smart scored 22 points while Jaylen Brown added 15 to help Boston win their third straight.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored the go-ahead bucket with 1:30 left and had a triple-double to lead the Washington Wizards to a 106-103 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Dinwiddie had 14 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Kyle Kuzma scored 24 points to help the Wizards snap a six-game losing streak.

Montrezl Harrell hit a 16-footer for 102-98 lead and blew kisses to the Philly crowd headed into a timeout. The Wizards won with Bradley Beal sidelined at least a week with an injured left wrist.

Joel Embiid had 27 points and 14 rebounds for the 76ers.

The Memphis Grizzlies beat the New York Knicks 120-108, the Orlando Magic defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-118 while the Houston Rockets accounted for the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning 115-104.