Ben Simmons had another NBA double-double but some crucial misses from the free-throw line in the final quarter proved costly as the Philadelphia 76ers lost 117-115 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Simmons had 20 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists but he made just four of eight free throws with the game up for grabs.
Paul George, who had an equal game-high 31 points, converted a four-point play with 5.1 seconds to play to give the victors the lead for the final time.
The Thunder star's clutch shot capped a wild finish, which included Oklahoma star Russell Westbrook fouling out with 14.9 seconds remaining after he got Joel Embiid while shooting a three-pointer.
Embiid, 31 points and eight rebounds, made all three foul shots to tie the game at 113-113 and Jimmy Butler's driving lay-up after a steal put Philadelphia in front with 6.9 seconds to go.
But George drained a three while being fouled by Butler and made the foul shot.
Philadelphia had one last chance but Butler missed a three-point attempt in the final seconds.
The 76ers (30-17) have lost 19 in a row to the Thunder (27-18), a streak that stretches more than a decade.
Meanwhile Sudan-born Australian Deng Adel made his NBA debut for struggling Cleveland.
The centre made his only basket, a three-pointer, in his five minutes on court in the Cavaliers' 124-102 loss to Denver.
Countryman and teammate Matthew Dellavedova had eight points in his 15 minutes, the Nuggets led by Jamal Murray's 26 points and Nikola Jokic's triple double (19 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists).
Eric Bledsoe scored a season-high 30 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points and 13 rebounds in the Milwaukee Bucks' 118-108 win at the Orlando Magic.
The Bucks won their fourth straight game and 11 of their past 13 to extend their NBA best record to 33-12.
Danny Green had a season-high 24 points and set a franchise record with seven three-pointers in the third quarter in the Toronto Raptors' 119-90 defeat of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Indiana Pacers eased to a 111-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks with 19 points from Tyreke Evans and Domantas Sabonis contributing 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 32 points as the Celtics overcame the stubborn Atlanta Hawks 113-105 after they trailed for the majority of the game.
The James Harden show continued in Houston as the guard had 48 points in the Rockets' 138-134 overtime win over the Lakers.
Charlotte, Toronto, Sacramento and Miami were also winners.
