Bogut efforts in vain

Australian Andrew Bogut has recorded his 22nd double-double of the season during the Milwaukee Bucks' 99-82 loss to the South-East Division leading Orlando Magic.

Bogut scored 10 points (5-11 from the field) and recorded team-high rebounds (10) and blocks (three).

Dwight Howard led the way for the Magic with 22 points.

A one-sided 27-10 second period held the key to victory for Orlando - Cleveland's nearest challenger in the East.

LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal led the Cavaliers to a 105-89 rout of the Memphis Grizzlies as they remained dominant in the chase for the playoff places.

The Cavs lead the Central Division and are also the top-ranked team across the Eastern Conference, and James' 22 points backed by an O'Neal double-double saw them cement that position in dominant fashion.

The remaining playoff challengers in action, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls, all suffered surprise defeats.

Chris Bosh's 35 points went to waste as the Raptors were beaten 130-115 by the Indiana Pacers, for whom Danny Granger poured in 23 points and Troy Murphy added 20.

Joe Johnson performed even better in vain with 37 points for the Hawks as Kevin Durant's 33 led Oklahoma City Thunder to a 106-99 triumph.

And Eric Gordon led all scorers with 24 as the Los Angeles Clippers inflicted a 90-82 defeat on the Bulls, for whom Great Britain forward Luol Deng top-scored with 18.

Elsewhere, a 28-19 third quarter helped the Detroit Pistons beat the lowly New Jersey Nets 97-93 while the Houston Rockets saw off Golden State 119-97 despite 34 points from the Warriors' Monta Ellis.

Bogut's countryman David Andersen registered eight points and seven rebounds for Houston off the bench.