Kobe Bryant's hot streak continued on Friday as he inspired the Los Angeles Lakers to their fifth straight win, a 97-92 triumph over Cleveland.
Bryant shot a game-high 42 points, the third match in succession where he has scored 40 points or better, making 15 of 31 from the field.
Pau Gasol added 19 points with 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who improved their season mark to 9-4.
Kyrie Irving was the best for the dogged Cavaliers with 21 points, but he could not stop them from slumping to a 5-6 record.
The Miami Heat's losing streak continued when they were beaten 117-104 by the Denver Nuggets.
Even 35 points from LeBron James were not enough to help the Heat, as Ty Lawson led the way for the Nuggets with 24 points.
The Chicago Bulls maintained the ascendancy in the NBA's Eastern Conference when 25 points from Derrick Rose lifted them to an 88-79 victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.
Luol Deng scored 21 points for the Bulls, who improved their season mark to 11-2 with their third straight win.
Reigning champions the Dallas Mavericks enjoyed a 102-76 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Elsewhere on Friday, the Indiana Pacers scored a 95-90 win over the Toronto Raptors, the Detroit Pistons claimed their third win for the season with a 98-81 victory in Charlotte over the Bobcats and the Philadelphia 76ers thrashed the Washington Wizards 120-89.
Kevin Love scored a game-high 34 points to help the Minnesota Timberwolves to an 87-80 win against the New Orleans Hornets, and the Houston Rockets took a 103-89 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
The New Jersey Nets were 110-103 winners in Phoenix against the Suns, and the San Antonio Spurs improved their season record to 8-4 courtesy of a 99-83 triumph at home over the Portland Trail Blazers.