Kyle Lowry scored 25 points and the Toronto Raptors' reserves came up big in the fourth quarter of a 110-98 victory over the Clippers on Saturday, ending Los Angeles' eight-game home winning streak.
Jonas Valanciunas had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the defending Atlantic Division champion Raptors, who entered the day with a one-game lead over Atlanta for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
J.J. Redick had 23 points and Blake Griffin had 22 for the Clippers, who lost at home for the first time since Chicago beat them on Nov. 17.
Australians Dante Exum (five points, three rebounds) and Joe Ingles (two points, four rebounds) had quiet evenings in Utah Jazz's 88-71 win against the league-worst (4-25) Philadelphia 76ers.
Derrick Favors had 17 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots as Utah limited the Sixers to just 12-of-40 shooting (30 per cent) from the field before halftime.
Michael Carter-Williams particularly struggled, shooting just 1-of-13 in the first two quarters. He finished the game 2-of-20.
In Chicago, Jimmy Butler scored 33 points, Derrick Rose had 19 and the Bulls beat New Orleans for their sixth consecutive victory.
The Bulls (21-9) also had three reserves score in double figures in their ninth win in 10 games.
Anthony Davis had 29 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots for the Pelicans in his first NBA game in his hometown.
Mike Conley scored 24 points, Marc Gasol added 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Memphis never trailed on the way to beating the Heat 103-95 in Miami.
In Washington, Kris Humphries scored 18 points, Paul Pierce had 17 and the Wizards beat Boston 101-88.
It was their eighth win in their past 10 games, and it was decided quickly.
Washington scored 13 consecutive points to take a 15-2 lead with not even four minutes gone.
Jeff Green scored 23 points for Boston, who have lost four straight.
By the time the Celtics' nightmare first quarter ended, they were behind 30-12 and outrebounded by 16-6 and had eight turnovers.
Jeff Teague scored 10 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Al Horford added 20, and Atlanta beat Milwaukee 90-85.
The Hawks avenged a 30-point loss to Milwaukee on Friday in Atlanta with their 15th win in their last 17 games. Paul Millsap finished with 17 points and eight rebounds for Atlanta.
DeMarcus Cousins scored nine of his season-high 39 points in overtime in his return from a stomach ailment, and Sacramento handed New York its seventh straight loss, winning 135-129 in overtime.
Carmelo Anthony scored 36 points for the short-handed Knicks, who dressed only nine players in losing for the 17th time in 18 games.
Stephen Curry had 25 points and six assists, Klay Thompson scored 21 points and Golden State shook off a two-game losing streak by rolling past lowly Minnesota 110-97.
Four others scored in double digits as the NBA-leading Warriors (24-5) wore down the last-place Timberwolves in the second half.
The injury-ravaged Wolves (5-24) are in last place in the Western Conference.
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