Chicago's star MVP Derrick Rose shot a season-high 35 points to lead the Bulls to a 98-88 NBA win over the Washington Wizards on Monday (local time).
Rose - the league's reigning Most Valuable Player - shot 14 of 15 free-throw attempts, while going at 50 percent from the field at 10 of 20, including one three-pointer.
Kyle Korver shot a massive five three-pointers to collect 17 points, while Carlos Boozer bagged 18 points and Joakim Noah picked up a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
For the Wizards, former No.1 draft pick John Wall scored a team-high 20 points as the Capital side slumped to their 17th loss in 21 games this season.
The Utah Jazz drew level with Portland on 12 wins this campaign, after defeating the Trail Blazers 93-89.
The Jazz went on a 13-0 run in the final quarter which was enough to see them over the line, with Paul Millsap top scoring for the victors on 19 points.
Reigning NBA champions Dallas recorded their highest team total for the season, with a 122-99 triumph over the Phoenix Suns.
Bench player Delonte West scored a game-high 25 points for the Mavericks, as they improved their season win-loss record to 14-8.
The Minnesota Timberwolves racked up their 10th win of the season, led impressively by Michael Beasley (34 points) and Kevin Love (29 points), as they dismissed the Houston Rockets 120-108.
The San Antonio Spurs improved to 13-9 with an 83-73 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies, Michael Bonner (15 points) top scoring for the winners courtesy of five threes.
Milwaukee heaped more misery on Detroit, coasting to a 103-82 victory to leave the Pistons with just four wins from 22 matches.
Similarly, the New Orleans Hornets failed to build on their four season wins, going down to the Miami Heat 109-95.
Heat stars Dwyane Wade and LeBron James (both 22 points) were influential for the winners, as they moved to a 16-5 record this campaign.
The Philadephia 76ers beat the Orlando Magic 74-69 in a scrappy affair, while in the late game, the Los Angeles Clippers upset the high-flying Oklahoma City Thunder 112-100.