Kobe Bryant scored 26 points as the Los Angeles Lakers disposed of the weary Phoenix Suns 108-88.

A 15-1 run late in the third quarter boosted the cause of a team who have now won nine matches in a row in improving to an NBA-best 16-3.

The defending champions were well-rested, having not played on Saturday. In contrast, the Suns were playing their sixth game in six cities over 10 days - and tellingly scored their fewest number of points in a match this season.

Dwyane Wade impressed with 34 points as the Miami Heat recorded a 115-102 victory over the Sacramento Kings, who never led the contest.

A 29-19 second quarter gave the visitors control of the game and they led by as many as 19 points in the third quarter.

Michael Beasley weighed in with 20 points as Miami defeated Sacremento for an 11th time in 12 games, with rookie Tyreke Evans top-scoring for the Kings.

The New York Knicks turned a 61-53 half-time deficit into a 106-97 success at the expense of the New Jersey Nets.

Al Harrington led the Knicks' effort with 26 points, a total Chris Douglas-Roberts matched for the losers at Madison Square Garden.

A run of 18 consecutive missed shots proved costly for the Milwaukee Bucks, who went down 101-86 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The visitors capitalised as their hosts misfired, going on a 29-0 tear which gave them control in a game they trailed 11-0.

Delonte West led the way for the hosts with 21 points, although the Bucks' rookie Brandon Jennings fignished with a game-high 24.

The Detroit Pistons' recent improvement continued, as they came out on top 98-94 against the Washington Wizards.

Rodney Stuckey led the way with 25 points for the victors, who have decisively put a seven-game losing streak behind them with three wins in four games.