Aussies abroad: Giddey’s Bulls’ wild escape

AAP.

Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vučević has hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to crush the fast-finishing Portland Trail Blazers' spirits in a 122-121 road win.

Josh Giddey's Bulls had led by as many as 21 points on Thursday afternoon (AEDT) but looked in serious danger of a sixth loss from seven games when Deni Avdija inspired a 30-7 fourth-quarter run from the hosts.

Avdija (32 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) tied the game at 116 with a three-pointer in the final 90 seconds before dishing to Donovan Clingan, who gave the Blazers their first lead since the first half.

His Bulls down by two points in the final nine seconds, Australian guard Giddey (nine points, 13 assists) had the ball in his hands on an inbound play and passed to Coby White.

White stormed through the paint before flicking out to an unmarked Vučević, who netted his fifth three-pointer of the night after the final siren.

Elsewhere, the Indiana Pacers snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 127-118 defeat of the Charlotte Hornets, restoring some pride following their worst start to a season in franchise history.

The depleted Pacers had won only one of their previous 14 games but pulled away in the second quarter as Bennedict Mathurin (24 points, 12 rebounds) began to take charge in his second game back from a toe injury.

Australian Pacers guard Johnny Furphy missed an eighth consecutive match with his ankle issue.

Defending NBA champions the Oklahoma City Thunder won their seventh consecutive game and improved their record to 15-1 with a 113-99 defeat of the Sacramento Kings.

The Thunder's average margin on their current streak has been 20.3 points, with each of their seven victories coming by double digits.

Last season's most valuable player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander top-scored against the Kings with 33 points alongside eight rebounds.

Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic (36 points, 18 rebounds, 13 assists) recorded a third consecutive triple double - and eighth of the season - to help his Denver Nuggets to a 125-118 defeat of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Right ankle soreness sidelined superstar Steph Curry as the Golden State Warriors dropped a second consecutive game, falling 110-96 to the Miami Heat.