Australian centre Aron Baynes starred with his first double-double of the NBA season but it wasn't enough to secure Detroit victory over Utah.
Baynes was one of three Australians to take the court at The Palace on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT), with Joe Ingles and Dante Exum notching up 12 and seven points respectively for the Jazz in their 97-83 win.
Boomers big man Bayne's 12 points and game-high 12 rebounds in 23 minutes was overshadowed by star forward Gordon Hayward, who had 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the high-flying Jazz.
In San Antonio, Australian guard Patty Mills finished with his fourth double-digit points tally in five matches, with 13 points and six assists as the Spurs went down 110-106 to Portland.
Mills sunk a clutch three-pointer to take the Spurs within a point of the Trail Blazers with five seconds to play before Portland sealed the game.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The loss means San Antonio are a game behind Western Conference leaders Golden State.
Australian point guard Matthew Dellavedova registered 12 points, two rebounds and three assists for Milwaukee as the Bucks downed the Clippers in Los Angeles 97-96.
Dellavedova fuelled the win with two three-point jumpers assisted by Giannis Antetokounmpo in the final four minutes, while compatriot Thon Maker made the most of his seven-and-a-half minutes of play with three points and one assist.
Lou Williams scored 30 points against his former team and James Harden had his 17th triple-double of the season to lead the Houston Rockets over the Los Angeles Lakers 139-100.
Harden had 18 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds as the Rockets (47-21) handed the bottom-placed Lakers their 11th loss in 12 games.
Elsewhere, the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Chicago Bulls 98-91, the Boston Celtics defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-104, the Miami Heat overcames the New Orleans Pelicans 120-112, the Dallas Mavericks beat the Washington Wizards 112-107 and the Indiana Pacers cruised past the Charlotte Hornets 98-77.
