James leads Cavs to victory

LeBron James led the way with a triple-double as the Cleveland Cavaliers posted a 113-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

James poured in 29 points, pulled down 12 rebounds and added 12 assists as the Cavs secured their fourth straight win and improved to an NBA-best 53-15 record.

Richard Hamilton was the Pistons' best performer with 24 points.

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol were on form as the Los Angeles Lakers registered a workmanlike 106-99 triumph over the Sacramento Kings.

Bryant chipped in 30 points while Gasol added 28 and claimed 11 rebounds as the Lakers posted their fourth straight win to consolidate their place at the summit of the Western Conference.

The Lakers' nearest rivals the Denver Nuggets remain four games off the leaders after they defeated the Washington Wizards 97-87.

Carmelo Anthony led Denver with 29 points and 12 rebounds.

Jason Richardson claimed 27 points and Amare Stoudemire 25 as the Phoenix Suns ravaged the Minnesota Timberwolves 152-114.

Eight players made it into double figures for the Suns, who condemned the Timberwolves to a 10th consecutive defeat.

In Miami, Manu Ginobili scored 22 points as the San Antonio Spurs downed the Heat 88-76, while in Indianapolis, the Pacers beat the Charlotte Bobcats 99-94 thanks in part to a 26-point performance from Danny Granger.

Jamal Crawford's 25 points led the Atlanta Hawks to a third straight win with a 108-84 outcome against the New Jersey Nets, who have won just seven times all season.

The Chicago Bulls slumped to an eighth straight loss as OJ Mayo led the Grizzlies to a 104-97 victory in Memphis.