Australians in the NBA - Giddey's season-high in win

Australian rising star Josh Giddey has scored a season-high 23 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder knock off the visiting Boston Celtics 127-123 in their NBA clash.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander top-scored with 36 points as the Thunder extended their winning streak to five games, while snapping the Celtics' six-game winning streak.

With 3.7 seconds left, Kristaps Porzingis hit an apparent corner three-pointer that would have cut Oklahoma's lead to one.

But Porzingis's foot was on the line and the shot was ruled a two instead, and the Thunder held a 125-123 lead.

Gilgeous-Alexander hit a pair of free throws after being fouled following an inbounds pass to all but seal the win.

Giddey has struggled for much of the season, but has come on strong as of late.

Over the past three games, the 21-year-old Aussie is averaging 18.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 55 per cent from the floor.

Giddey added eight rebounds and six assists to his 23 points on Tuesday (local time).

Oklahoma City shot 52.7 per cent from the floor, their fifth consecutive game shooting 50 per cent or better.

The Thunder have now won eight of nine matches.

During that stretch, Oklahoma have beaten defending champions Denver twice, ended the Los Angeles Clippers' winning streak at nine, beaten Minnesota (the top team in the West) by 23, and have now topped the Celtics.

Porzingis led Boston with 34 points and 10 rebounds.

Giddey's fellow Australian Dyson Daniels was in action in New Orleans, helping the hosting Pelicans thrash the Brooklyn Nets 112-85 for their third straight victory and eighth in 11 games.

Daniels had 20 minutes of court time, managing seven points, two rebounds and three assists.

In California, Terry Rozier scored 14 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter after missing a game with illness, as the visiting Charlotte Hornets beat the Sacramento Kings 111-104 to snap an 11-game losing streak.

Meanwhile, Stephen Curry scored 36 points and delivered on key plays in the fourth quarter to help the Golden State Warriors snap a three-game losing streak with a 121-115 victory over the Orlando Magic in San Francisco.

In Memphis, Ja Morant had 26 points, 10 assists and a fourth-quarter dunk over Victor Wembanyama as the Grizzlies used a second-half spurt to beat the San Antonio Spurs 106-98.

And in Philadelphia, Joel Embiid made a winning return from an ankle injury to guide the home team to victory.

Embiid had 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in his return from a sprained right ankle as the 76ers beat the Chicago Bulls 110-97.