The dream NBA head coaching start continues for former Australian Boomers coach Brett Brown.
Widely expected to be one of the league's worst teams, Brown's Philadelphia 76ers extended their winning start to the season to 3-0 with a 107-104 win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.
Rookie point guard Michael Carter Williams was again exceptional for the 76ers as he went up against former NBA MVP Derrick Rose and led the way with 26 points and 10 assists.
Supposedly rebuilding, the Sixers have risen to first place in the Atlantic Division, having already defeated the Washington Wizards and two-time defending champion Miami Heat.
"We understand what everybody has said and written about us," said rookie head coach Brown.
"Our guys have put in the day-to-day stuff, which has always been our message.
"I'm lucky I've found a group that enjoys each other's company and they enjoy playing together."
Brown played all 11 players available, with 10 of them scoring.
"I'm surprised we've been able to score at the rate that we've able to score," Brown said. "I didn't know they had it in them."
Still dealing with neck soreness, Rose finished with 13 points and six assists while Carlos Boozer led the Bulls with 22 points and 10 rebounds and Luol Deng had 20 points.
I would blame tonight on me," said Rose. "Turnovers, missed shots, miscommunication - I just couldn't get in my groove."
Elsewhere, Indiana's Paul George and Lance Stephenson combined for 43 points as the Pacers also remained unbeaten with an 89-74 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
At New Orleans, Anthony Davis had 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists to lead the Pelicans to their first win since changing their nickname, 105-84 over the Charlotte Bobcats.
Tyreke Evans added 15 points, Jrue Holiday had 14 and Brian Roberts 13 for New Orleans (1-2), who made the name change from Hornets in the offseason.
Ramon Sessions had 22 points and Kemba Walker added 14 for Charlotte (1-2).
The Houston Rockets rallied from a 19-point deficit to remain undefeated and keep Utah winless with a 104-93 victory over the Utah Jazz, while Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks over the Memphis Grizzlies 111-99.
In other games, the Toronto Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks 97-90 and the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the San Antonio Spurs 115-105.
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