James Harden and the Houston Rockets got the better of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in a feisty, playoff-style battle at Toyota Center in one of eight NBA games on Sunday night.
James (37) outscored Harden (33), but the former missed two free throws to put the Cavaliers ahead in overtime, finishing just 3-11 from the free-throw line as Cleveland lost their second straight game and Houston extended their winning streak to five.
In the day's lunchtime game, the Los Angeles Clippers were too strong for the Chicago Bulls at United Center, winning 96-86 away from home.
DeAndre Jordan's recent rebounding blitz continued as he grabbed 26 rebounds - the eighth game in a row in which he has had 15 or more boards. Chris Paul added 28 points and 12 assists as the Clippers won for the fifth time in a row on the road against the Bulls.
The NBA's pacesetters, the Golden State Warriors, rallied from a 26-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 106-101, improving their league-best record to 46-11.
Stephen Curry led the way for Golden State with 37 points as Boston's three-game winning streak came to an end.
The Oklahoma City Thunder returned to winning ways, despite being without both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook against the Los Angeles Lakers.
DJ Augustin filled in for Westbrook, who had posted three straight triple-doubles, with 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists as the Thunder held on to the final playoff spot in the West.
OKC are half a game ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans, who stretched their winning streak without star player Anthony Davis to five games by edging out the lowly Denver Nuggets 99-92.
Tyreke Evans had 22 points and seven assists for the visitors as Denver lost their sixth game in a row since the All-Star break and 10th straight at home - their longest home losing streak since the 1997-98 season.
The Portland Trail Blazers recorded their third straight victory by downing the Sacramento Kings 110-99 at Sleep Train Arena.
Damian Lillard scored nine of his 31 points in the final period to see the Blazers over the line, with LaMarcus Aldridge also adding 26 points and 15 rebounds.
The Indiana Pacers' improved recent form continued as they cruised to a 94-74 win over the struggling Philadelphia 76ers.
George Hill led all scorers with 17 points as the Pacers kept hold of the eighth seed in what is an extremely crowded race for the last two playoff spots in the East.
At Amway Center, the Charlotte Hornets inflicted a third straight defeat on the Orlando Magic with a 98-83 triumph on the road.
Mo Williams was the pick of the Hornets, finishing with 23 points and 11 assists as the visitors won just their second match in eight games.
Results in full: Los Angeles Clippers 96-86 Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers 103-105 Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers 110-99 Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors 106-101 Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers 74-94 Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets 98-83 Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder 108-101 Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans 99-92 Denver Nuggets
Pascal Lemesre
