Despite missing star Dirk Nowitzki with a knee injury, the Dallas Mavericks edged the New Orleans Hornets 83-81 in the NBA on Saturday.
Dallas announced before the match Nowitzki's right knee problem would force him to miss the next four matches, but passed their first test without the German - although it was a close call.
Last season's NBA champions looked to be cruising when they led 64-53 at the final charge, but Carl Landry (19 points) and Emeka Okafor (16 points, 17 rebounds) kept fighting for the Hornets.
And they managed to get within a point on two occasions in the last quarter, only for Dallas - led by Lamar Odom (16 points) and Shawn Marion (14 points, 12 rebounds) - to hold firm.
Chicago continue to have the best record in the NBA after the Bulls beat the Charlotte Bobcats 95-89 to move to 15-3 for the season.
Reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose remained on the sidelines with his toe injury, but the likes of Carlos Boozer (23 points), Luol Deng (22 points) and Richard Hamilton (20 points) stepped up in his absence.
The Miami Heat defeated Eastern Conference Atlantic leaders the Philadelphia 76ers 113-92, thanks to impressive performances from Chris Bosh (30 points) and LeBron James (28 points).
The Cleveland Cavaliers - who were thumped by 39 points on Friday by Chicago - were again comfortably defeated, as Joe Johnson (25 points) inspired the Atlanta Hawks to a 121-94 win.
The Memphis Grizzles, meanwhile, handed out a thrashing of their own, defeating the Sacramento Kings 128-95.
Utah Jazz continued their terrific form as they made it nine wins in 11 with a 108-98 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Houston Rockets edged the San Antonio Spurs 105-102 and the Detroit Pistons won their first match in six with a 94-91 success over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Danilo Gallinari (37 points) helped the Denver Nuggets to a double-overtime 119-114 win against the New York Knicks, and the Oklahoma City Thunder - the Western Conference leaders - won again as they toppled the New Jersey Nets 84-74.