Andrew Bogut has taken another step towards elite status, the Australian posting another double-double as he helped the Bucks to a dramatic two-point win over the Celtics.
Bogut's 25 points and 17 rebounds lifted Milwaukee Bucks to an 86-84 win over Boston, the franchise's fourth win in succession and its 10th from the last 11 games.
Paul Pierce missed a potential game-tying shot in the final seconds as Milwaukee hung on, the Bucks climbing to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Kobe Bryant, meanwhile, hit a fadeaway jump-shot with 1.9 seconds left as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak by topping the Toronto Raptors 109-107.
Bryant scored 14 of his 32 points in the final quarter as he made sure the Lakers would not lose four in a row for the first time since April 2007.
Stephen Jackson scored 17 points while Raymond Felton added 15 and 11 assists as the Charlotte Bobcats recorded a crucial 83-78 win over the Miami Heat in the battle for the final play-offs spots.
Dwyane Wade had led Miami with 27 points, but passed up the chance of a game-tying shot in the final minute.
Charlotte move level with Miami at .500 in a three-way battle alongside Chicago for the final two places in the post-season.
The Bulls did not aid their own cause as they were overpowered in a 132-108 loss to the Utah Jazz.
Deron Williams collected 28 points and 17 assists, while CJ Miles had a season-high 26 points.
The Orlando Magic matched a season high with their sixth straight victory, cruising past the Los Angeles Clippers 113-87.
Dwight Howard had 22 points and 15 rebounds as the Magic kept rolling after their victory over the Lakers at the weekend, while the Clippers lost their sixth game in seven.
Luis Scola's 23 points and 10 rebounds lifted the Houston Rockets back above .500 as they beat the Washington Wizards 96-88.
The Indiana Pacers snapped a four-game losing streak as Dahntay Jones' 25 points lifted them to a 107-96 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Brandon Roy was the difference maker for the Portland Trail Blazers, scoring 19 points including the decisive jump shot in the final minutes as they beat the Sacramento Kings 88-81.
After the Kings had pulled the game back to a 74-74 tie, Roy's jump shot ended their challenge as they opened out an 85-78 lead.