Furphy's high-flying antics headlines first career start

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Johnny Furphy wasted no time taking advantage of his first career start in the NBA, adding several highflying dunks to an already stacked highlight reel despite a tough loss on the road to the Miami Heat.

Being moved into the starting line-up was a big reward for Furphy, who has been constantly building back into form since returning from injury following several foot and ankle issues in the early stages of the season.

Two plays in particular headlined the performance from the 21-year-old from Melbourne, starting with a steal and alley-oop in the first quarter, followed by a tomahawk in transition in the fourth quarter at the Kaseya Center.

Furphy's above-the-rim antics show why NBA legend and iconic dunker Vince Carter called for the former Kansas Jayhawk and Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence scholarship holder to feature in the Slam Dunk Contest at this season's All-Star Weekend.

Furphy and the Pacers, who have struggled this season due to a growing injury list, were right in the game before a dominant fourth quarter from the Heat took the game away from the visitors.

In other news for Aussies in the NBA, Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels were on triple-double watch again, Tyrese Proctor made the most of some late playing time for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Joe Ingles' Minnesota Timberwolves were upset by a league minnow.

NBA BOX SCORE: Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers

Aussie wing Johnny Furphy had nine points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes as he earned his first career start for the Indiana Pacers in a 142-116 loss to the Miami Heat at the Kaseya Center.

Furphy went 4-from-6 from the field and also had one steal along with one assist in the loss.

Andrew Wiggins and Jaime Jaquez Jr both had 28 points for the Heat.

NBA BOX SCORE: Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Guard Tyrese Proctor was a +13 in seven late minutes for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they went down 117-100 to the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.

Proctor played valuable fourth-quarter minutes despite the game already being gone, scoring seven points and going 3-from-3 from the field and 1-from-1 from the three-point line. The performance gives coach Kenny Atkinson something to think about with the Aussie rookie out of the rotation over the past week.

Kevin Durant had 30 points to lead the Rockets.

NBA BOX SCORE: Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks

Dyson Daniels was on triple-double watch as the Atlanta Hawks almost got the better of the New York Knicks, just falling 128-125 at State Farm Arena.

Daniels had 13 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in 39 minutes for the Hawks as well as two steals as the Hawks used a dominant second half to push the Knicks to the final buzzer.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 36 points and 16 rebounds for the Knicks.

NBA BOX SCORE: Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks

Josh Giddey fought off a sluggish start to almost record another triple-double but it wasn't enough as the Chicago Bulls had their five-game winning streak snapped 112-103 by the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center.

Giddey had 13 points, nine assists and seven rebounds but had five turnovers and was a -11 in 26 minutes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 29 points for the Bucks.

NBA BOX SCORE: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Brooklyn Nets

Joe Ingles received a DNP Coach's Decision as the Minnesota Timberwolves were upset 123-107 by the Brooklyn Nets at the Target Center.

NBA BOX SCORE: Sacramento Kings vs Dallas Mavericks

Aussie Dante Exum is out for the season after knee complications. The Dallas Mavericks were beaten 113-107 by the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.