The Bulls snapped a six-game losing streak, and breathed life into their playoff hopes by handling missing Brooklyn lineup James Harden and Kevin Durant in Chicago.
The Nets, who had a winning four-game winning streak, looked troubled and out of sync play without Harden and Durant, who continue to nurse hamstring injuries.
The Bulls got a game-high 25 points from Zach LaVine and a strong effort from Tomas Satoransky, who added 19 points and 11 assists. Nikola Vucevic contributed 22 points and 13 rebounds for Chicago, while Kyrie Irving led six Nets in double figures with a season-high 24 points and 15 assists.
Clippers 104, Lakers 86
The battle of Los Angeles turned into a lopsided affair as the Clippers tied the Lakers.
The Clippers never defeated, starting the game on a 13-2 run and leading by as many as 24 points. Swingman Marcus Morris Sr. who led the charge, with 17 of his game-high 22 points in the first half. Kawhi Leonard totaled 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Paul George contributed 16 points and seven rebounds, while Luke Kennard chipped in 15 for the Clippers.
The Clippers hit a two-game home losing streak. They also won an earlier matchup of the season between the two LA teams, a 116-109 decision in the season opener on Dec. 22.
Celtic 116, Hornets 86
Jayson Tatum scored 22 points with eight rebounds, and Boston rode dominant middle quarters to a jab from Charlotte at TD Garden.
A 19-4 run to open the second quarter, which started when Romeo Langford beat Boston’s 21 points made 3-pointers on the night, turned a one-point deficit into a lead that never fell below eight for the rest of the way. .
The Celtics closed the period on a 9-2 run to end the period with a 33-17 margin, then carry the momentum into a 40-27 third quarter. Tatum closed out the third with a 3-pointer directory beat.
Grizzlies 116, 76ers 100
Dillon Brooks recorded 17 points to lead seven players in two-digit scoring as the visiting Memphis burst to a 116-100 victory over Philadelphia.
Jonas Valanciunas collected 16 points and 12 rebounds to net his 10th consecutive double-double for the Grizzlies, who exploded for 45 points in the third quarter. Memphis, which has won three of its last four games overall, completed a season sweep of Philadelphia after posting a 106-104 victory over the 76ers on Jan. 16.
Tobias Harris scored 21 points, 13 in the first half, and Shake Milton added 14 off the bench for Philadelphia, who played without Joel Embiid. The four-time All-Star center got the night off after returning from a 10-game absence due to a bone bruise in his left knee during the 76ers’ 122-113 victory over Minnesota on Saturday.
Hawks 117, Warriors 111
Danilo Gallinari and Clint Capela combined for 49 points and 28 rebounds and defeated Atlanta to visit Golden State for its third straight victory.
Gallinari, while playing with a left Achilles heel, had 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Capela had 24 points, 18 rebounds and two blocked shots to help the Hawks sweep the two-game season series against Golden State for the first time since 2010- 11 seasons.
Golden State lost its third straight game despite a 37-point effort by Steph Curry, who returned after missing the last game with a tailbone contusion. Curry entered the locker room at the third quarter break and did not go back into the game until 6:15 remaining. He was only 3-for-12 on 3-point attempts.
Pelicans 122, Rockets 115
Lonzo Ball made a career-high 3-pointer eight to accelerate a balanced scoring attack as New Orleans stayed off Houston.
Ball, who missed the previous seven games with a hip injury, lasted 27 points with nine assists to lead the Pelicans – who were without forwards Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Six of his fellow players also scored in double figures.
Down the stretch, multiple hands played a role in keeping the Rockets at bay, with Wes Iwundu and Naji Marshall drilling timely 3-pointers while Willy Hernangomez converted in the paint for New Orleans. Hernangomez had 15 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, while Eric Bledsoe scored 19 points and James Johnson added 18.
Nuggets 119, Magic 109
Aaron Gordon scored 24 points against his teammate, Jamal Murray had 22, and the Denver host held 18 down to beat Orlando on Sunday night. Nikola Jokic had 17 points, 16 assists and nine rebounds, Michael Porter Jr. finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, Will Barton scored 15 points and Monte Morris had 10 points off the bench for Denver.
Terrence Ross and Chuma Okeke each scored 19 points, James Ennis III had 17 points, Wendell Carter Jr. and RJ Hampton finished with 16 each and Mo Bamba scored 11 for Orlando.
Gordon’s dunk and Porter’s shot gave Denver a 105-102 lead with 3:37 left in the fourth quarter. Okeke hit a layup but Murray made two free throws and a 3-point lead to give the Nuggets a 110-104 lead with 2:25 left. Hampton and Carter flew two 3-point attempts, allowing Denver to score five straight to go ahead by 11, and the Nuggets closed out.
—Field Media Media