Mexico played host to an NBA game for the 22nd time last night, and it was the Boston Celtics who comfortably overcame the Sacramento Kings 114-97 in one of six Thursday night matches.
In the first of two regular-season Global Games - the other being in London between the Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors on January 14 - Isaiah Thomas starred against his former team with 21 points and nine assists as the Celtics improved to 11-8.
Back in the US, the San Antonio Spurs strengthened their position in second place behind the unbeaten Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference with a 20-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Spurs have won seven of eight and have a record of 16-4 after 20 games following a 27-point, 7-9 from three-point range performance by Kawhi Leonard at FedExForum.
There was a heavyweight clash between Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder and it was the hosting Heat who edged a see-saw contest 97-95.
In total, there were 38 lead changes at AmericanAirlines Arena and it was Dwyane Wade's two late free throws that proved decisive. The Miami guard finished with 28 points, while Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook both had 25 in defeat for the Thunder.
The Indiana Pacers' winning streak came to an end at six games as they fell 123-111 at the Portland Trail Blazers.
Damian Lillard led the way for the Blazers with 26 points and nine assists, while recently-crowned Eastern Conference Player of the Month Paul George struggled for Indiana with 11 points on 4-17 shooting.
There was a surprise at Air Canada Centre as the visiting Denver Nuggets edged out the Toronto Raptors 106-105 for their first win in nine games.
Although Denver never trailed, their 14-point half-time lead was whittled away before they managed to hang on in the closing stages.
The Orlando Magic are on their best winning streak since January 2012 following a 103-94 success over the Utah Jazz, their fifth win in a row.
The Magic trailed by a point going into the final frame, but then dominated the fourth as Tobias Harris finished with 17 points. Gordon Hayward had 24 for the Jazz.
Results in full: Oklahoma City Thunder 95-97 Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets 106-105 Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic 103-94 Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs 103-83 Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers 111-123 Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics 114-97 Sacramento Kings
Pascal Lemesre
