Aaron Brooks hit two free throws with 2.1 seconds left as the Houston Rockets scored an eighth successive win against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA.

Brooks scored 25 points, while Kyle Lowry scored eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter to help the Rockets turn things around after they started the final period 10 adrift before winning 111-109.

Monta Ellis had 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds for the Warriors, who welcomed back Don Nelson.

Nelson was not 100% but considered himself well enough to coach again after he missed five games because of pneumonia.

The Boston Celtics scored a sixth straight success while ending the San Antonio Spurs' five-game winning run.

Kevin Garnett led the victors' scoring with 20 points in a 90-83 success which helps the Celtics improve to an NBA-best 8-1 away from home and moved them into a tie for Eastern Conference leadership with Orlando Magic.

Rookie DeJuan Blair had a career-high 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs.

Carmelo Anthony and Nene led the Denver Nuggets to a 114-96 rout of the Miami Heat at the Pepsi Center.

Anthony, the league's leading scorer, led the Nuggets with 22 points as they took control of the game in the first two quarters, establishing a 58-42 lead at the midway mark.

Dwyane Wade scored 25 points for the Heat - but Denver remains the only city where he has never won in his seven seasons in the NBA.