The Miami Heat left Milwaukee empty-handed after a 105-97 defeat to the Bucks in Wednesday's NBA action.

Brandon Jennings scored three three-point efforts in the fourth quarter en route to a vital 31-point total while also providing eight assists.

The win was Milwaukee's third on the bounce as the Heat failed to match them despite LeBron James' season-best 40 points.

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker scored 25 and 24 points respectively as the San Antonio Spurs showed their resolve with a creditable 99-91 at home to the Houston Rockets.

Steve Nash produced his best figures of the season with 30 points and 10 assists as the Phoenix Suns inflicted a 120-103 loss on the Hornets in New Orleans.

Nash's performance saw him take the honour of being the Suns' all-time leading assist provider with 6,522.

Jamal Crawford inspired the Portland Trail Blazers to a 112-68 hammering of the Charlotte Bobcats to condemn the hapless visitors to a 10th successive defeat.

The Oklahoma City Thunder were 95-86 victors away to the Dallas Mavericks.

Russell Westbrook topped with 33 points and was ably supported by Kevin Durant, who took 13 rebounds on top of his 23-point haul.

Danny Granger (36 points) came on strong to inspire the Indiana Pacers to a 109-99 win away to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Chicago Bulls 98-82 while the Boston Celtics were even more comfortable in a one-sided 100-64 win at home to the Toronto Raptors.

Orlando beat the Washington Wizards 109-103 while the New Jersey Nets edged the Detroit Pistons 99-96. In Los Angeles, the Clippers won 107-105 against the Utah Jazz.