Another 25-point display from Kevin Durant helped the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 99-86 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Durant has now scored at least 25 points in 26 consecutive games, his contribution on Tuesday ensuring Dirk Nowitzki's 24-point haul and the Mavs' late charge were both in vain.

The Phoenix Suns are also on a decent run and clinched their sixth win in seven games - their fifth straight on the road - with a 109-95 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Jason Richardson poured in a game-high 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the floor while Amare Stoudemire added 21 points.

Shannon Brown, starting in place of the injured Kobe Bryant, had 27 points and 10 rebounds as the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 104-94.

Finally in the Western Conference, the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Los Angeles Clippers 109-87 and Mehmet Okur scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a 104-95 win over the Houston Rockets.

In the Eastern Conference, 17 points apiece from Rasheed Wallace and Paul Pierce guided the third-spotted Boston Celtics to a hard-fought 95-92 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Derrick Rose contributed 29 points to guide the Chicago Bulls to a 118-85 victory over the New York Knicks.

The Detroit Pistons clinched a third win in four games and condemned the Minnesota Timberwolves to a third defeat in four by triumphing 108-85.

The New Jersey Nets snapped an eight-game losing run and collected only their fifth victory of the season by prevailing 103-94 at the Charlotte Bobcats. Courtney Lee led the way with 21 points.

Also in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat cruised past the Philadelphia 76ers 105-78.