Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith both scored 28 points as the New York Knicks ended a seven-game losing streak with a 109-93 victory over the Denver Nuggets at home in Sunday lunchtime's NBA game.
The Nuggets were outscored by 31 points to eight in a disastrous second quarter - they didn't make a field goal until Ty Lawson hit a buzzer-beating lay-up just before the interval.
In Miami, the Milwaukee Bucks inflicted a third straight defeat on the Miami Heat to level up their win-loss record at 5-5.
The Heat are also 5-5 after surrendering an eight-point half-time lead. Bucks guard Brandon Knight led all scorers with 20, hitting three late 3-pointers to seal the win.
One of the ugliest games in recent NBA memory was played out at Chesapeake Energy Arena as the Houston Rockets improved to 9-1 with a 69-65 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It was the first time in almost 10 years that a team had won with 69 or fewer points and the first time in over 11 years that both teams had shot below 30% from the field in an NBA game.
While points were at a premium in OKC, there were plenty at Staples Center as the Golden State Warriors inflicted a ninth defeat in 10 games on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 30 points and 15 assists as they came through 136-115 to improve to 8-2 for the season. Kobe Bryant sat out the fourth quarter, but still had 44 points on 15-34 shooting.
Results in full: Denver Nuggets 93-109 New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks 91-84 Miami Heat, Houston Rockets 69-65 Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors 136-115 Los Angeles Lakers
Pascal Lemesre
