The NBA's leading team, the Golden State Warriors, won their sixth game in a row by cruising to victory over the Washington Wizards in one of six matches on Monday night.
Golden State's lead was only three points at the break, but they restricted Washington to just eight points in the third quarter to run away and claim a 31-point win.
The Houston Rockets inflicted a sixth straight defeat on the Indiana Pacers as James Harden notched his eighth 40-point game of the season.
The shooting-guard had 44 points and seven assists to help the Rockets strengthen their place in the top three of the Western Conference and dent Indiana's hopes of reaching the East's post-season.
Overtime was required to separate the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves and it was the lowly Wolves who pulled off a surprise victory.
Zach LaVine top-scored with 27 points, including two three-pointers late in regulation to force overtime, before Minnesota edged the extra period 10-8 to inflict a second straight defeat on the Jazz.
There was no shock at Madison Square Garden as the Memphis Grizzlies eased to victory over the struggling New York Knicks.
Zach Randolph stood out with 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists as Memphis guaranteed their place in the playoffs with a third consecutive victory.
The Boston Celtics moved back into the Eastern Conference playoff places with a convincing win at the Brooklyn Nets behind Evan Turner's triple-double.
The guard posted 19 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists to help Boston end their three-game losing streak, while Brook Lopez led all scorers with 31 in defeat for the Nets.
Boston's win saw them move above the Charlotte Hornets in the crowded race to make the playoffs as the latter went down to the Chicago Bulls.
Nikola Mirotic (28 points, eight rebounds) and Pau Gasol (27 points, 12 rebounds) dominated for the hosts, who clinched a playoff spot by improving to 43-29.
Results in full: Houston Rockets 110-100 Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics 110-91 Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies 103-82 New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets 86-98 Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves 106-104 Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards 76-107 Golden State Warriors
Pascal Lemesre
