Dyson Daniels lived up to his billing as the "Great Barrier Thief'' as he and masked warrior Jock Landale helped the Atlanta Hawks extend their winning start to the NBA season.
Defensive specialist Daniels had seven steals - one short of his career-high eight - before sitting out most of the final period in the Hawks' 128-81 thrashing of their host Charlotte Hornets on Friday (Saturday AEDT).
Jalen Johnson and Aaron Wiggins (19 points each) top-scored as Atlanta, who were beaten by eventual champions New York in last year's playoffs, improved their record to 2-0 ahead of their home opener against the Houston Rockets.
Daniels was just shy of a double-double with 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while Boomers teammate Landale appeared untroubled by a nasal fracture caused by a knock under his eye in the Hawks' season-opening win at Orlando.
Wearing a protective mask in Charlotte, Landale, who is playing for his career on a one-year deal this season, had eight points, six rebounds and four assists.
Naz Reid top-scored with 17 points for the Hornets, who came crashing back to earth after their season-opening win at Brooklyn.
Also on Friday, Josh Giddey was the chief facilitator with nine assists to go with six points and four rebounds as the Chicago Bulls won a 132-125 thriller over Milwaukee.
Norman Powell had 25 points and rookie Caleb Wilson added 21 for the Bulls, who rebounded from their season-opening loss at Toronto.
Tyler Herro, a Milwaukee-area native who was one of four players shipped to the Bucks in a blockbuster off-season trade that sent franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, had 34 points.
The game was played four hours earlier than originally scheduled because of the Milwaukee Brewers hosting game one of baseball's World Series on Friday night.
