The Boston Celtics ended their five-game losing streak with a win over two-time defending champions the Miami Heat.
The visitors were without reigning MVP LeBron James, who was suffering with back spasms, but the Heat kept it close until the final two minutes, when Jeff Green put Boston ahead before Rajon Rondo made a couple of late baskets.
The New York Knicks made a strong start against the Indiana Pacers, setting them up for their seventh win in a row.
Carmelo Anthony led the home side with 34, while Lance Stephenson tried to get the Eastern Conference leaders back into contention in the second half, but could not overturn the Knicks' 12-point lead from the first two quarters.
The San Antonio Spurs brushed the Los Angeles Lakers aside for their 11th win in a row.
Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard combined for 47 as the Spurs kept the longest winning streak in the NBA alive, while the Lakers have lost six of their last seven.
The Philadelphia 76ers slipped to their 22nd defeat in a row with a loss to the Chicago Bulls at the Wells Fargo Center.
The visitors never opened up a sizable lead over their struggling opponents, but DJ Augustin and Taj Gibson ensured that the points kept coming to seal a Bulls win.
The Brooklyn Nets clinched their 10th win in a row with a strong finish against the Charlotte Bobcats.
The Nets were three points down midway through the fourth quarter, but Deron Williams added 11 of his 26 points inside the final six minutes to secure victory.
The Minnesota Timberwolves sealed a single-point win over the Dallas Mavericks in overtime.
The Mavericks needed a strong finish after the Wolves opened up an early lead, but Kevin Love, who finished the game with 35 points, put the visitors ahead in overtime.
The Phoenix Suns controlled the second half to come away with a comfortable win over the Orlando Magic.
The teams were level at half time, but a 23-3 run in the second half ensured that the home side pulled away for an easy win.
The Toronto Raptors dominated the fourth quarter to take a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Raptors were four points down heading into the last 12 minutes, but former Pelicans player Greivis Vasquez put the Canadian side ahead in the final two minutes to end their two-game losing streak.
The Memphis Grizzlies survived a strong second-half performance by the Utah Jazz to claim their 40th win of the season.
Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol guided the Grizzlies to a 16-point lead at the break, before Gordon Hayward and Trey Burke brought the Jazz back into contention, but they could not complete the comeback.
The Denver Pistons took a comfortable win over the Denver Nuggets for their fourth win in their last five games.
Aaron Brooks was a late inclusion in the starting lineup after Ty Lawson came down with a sinus infection, but he made the most of his chance, leading the team with 27 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
Results in full: Chicago Bulls 102-94 Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat 96-101 Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats 99-104 Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz 86-96 Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors 107-100 New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers 86-92 New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves 123-122 Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons 109-118 Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic 93-109 Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs 125-109 Los Angeles Lakers
Sian Cowper
