Stephen Curry inspired the Golden State Warriors to another victory as the defending champions improved their record to 17-0 on Friday night.
The reigning MVP scored nine of his 16 attempts from three-point range on the way to recording 40 points, eight assists and six rebounds in a 135-116 triumph over the Phoenix Suns.
It was another disappointing night at the opposite end of the NBA as the Philadelphia 76ers set a new record for the longest losing streak in US sports history by suffering a 116-114 defeat to the Houston Rockets.
The Sixers have lost 27 games in a row dating back to last season and are now 0-17 for the current campaign after James Harden scored 50 points to hold off a fourth-quarter comeback from Philadelphia.
A strong finish guided the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 95-90 victory over the Charlotte Hornets as LeBron James and Kevin Love combined to help the Eastern Conference leaders to the win.
James registered 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Love had 18 points and 16 rebounds despite sitting out all of the fourth quarter.
The San Antonio Spurs recorded a fourth successive win by beating the Denver Nuggets 91-80 on a night when the visitors took control in the third quarter to close the door.
Kawhi Leonard was key at both ends of the court with 25 points, six assists, five blocks and four steals as the Spurs moved to 91-80 for the season.
Kevin Durant led the way for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a comfortable 107-83 victory over the Detroit Pistons.
A fine night from Durant included 34 points and 13 rebounds, while his 14-point third-quarter display was key as the Thunder outscored the Pistons 55-32 in the second half.
The Boston Celtics dominated throughout the night to claim a comfortable 111-78 win over the Washington Wizards, who slipped to 6-7 for the season.
Jared Sullinger recorded 18 points and 15 rebounds, while Isaiah Thomas top scored with 21 points as the Celtics cruised to the victory.
Gerald Green enjoyed his best night as a Miami Heat player as the visitors earned a 97-78 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Heat led by three at half time and held the Knicks to just 29 points in the second half as Green took advantage of a start to score 25 points.
Blake Griffin and JJ Redick each scored 20 points as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 111-90 after building a 17-point lead at half time.
Anthony Davis was forced off the court with a bruised knee in the third quarter to hand another blow to the Pelicans as the Clippers eased back to 8-8 for the season.
Paul George continued his impressive season by scoring 33 points and adding eight rebounds as the Indiana Pacers beat the Chicago Bulls 104-92.
A poor shooting night for the Bulls proved to be too much to overcome as Nikola Mirotic's season-high 25 points failed to stop the Pacers earning a comfortable win.
Six players scored in double figures for the Atlanta Hawks as they recovered from a 12-point deficit to record a 116-101 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Paul Millsap led the way with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Jeff Teague scored 20 points to help the Hawks to 11-7 for the season.
Elfrid Payton recorded 22 points and 10 assists for the Orlando Magic in a 114-90 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tobias Harris added 19 points, while Victor Oladipo and Evan Fournier scored 17 each as the Magic outscored the Bucks by 18 in the second half to clinch the win.
The Minnesota Timberwolves moved to .500 for the season thanks to a 101-91 victory on the road against the Sacramento Kings.
Andrew Wiggins scored 22 points, while Zach LaVine added 19 points on his return to the starting lineup to help the Wolves to their eighth win.
Results in full: Cleveland Cavaliers 95-90 Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks 90-114 Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards 78-111 Boston Celtics, Miami Heat 97-78 New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls 92-104 Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers 114-116 Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks 116-101 Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons 87-103 Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs 91-80 Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors 135-116 Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves 101-91 Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans 90-111 Los Angeles Clippers
Callum Mulvihill
