In Salt Lake City, the Phoenix Suns won their fifth consecutive game by thrashing the Utah Jazz 126-98.

The Suns had almost put on 100 points before the start of the final quarter as Steve Nash dished out 18 assists to see the Phoenix side move within one win of clinching second spot on the Western conference table behind Dallas.

The Memphis Grizzlies may be struggling towards the end of a disappointing season, but they produced a committed performance to snap Denver's eight-match winning streak.

Despite having the worst record in the NBA, Memphis came out and played with abandon, knocking down a succession of three-pointers as Chucky Atkins and Terence Kinsey both scored 28 apiece to help end the Tennessee side's six-game losing streak.

LeBron James shrugged off an elbow to the face to help the Cleveland Cavaliers thrash Atlanta 110-76.

James scored 23 points as Cleveland, which has a tendency not to play as well against lesser sides, easily accounted for Atlanta to tie with Chicago for the number two position in the Eastern Conference.

Elsewhere, Orlando defeated the 76ers 104-87, the Houston Rockets beat southern rival New Orleans 123-112, Portland edged out Seattle 108-102 while the Bobcats thrashed Milwaukee 113-92.