Rajon Rando had a career-high 25 assists and Anthony Davis scored 33 points as the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Brooklyn Nets 128-113.
The Pelicans took a 69-46 lead into half-time, with DeMarcus Cousins posting figures of 27 points and 14 rebounds and eased to a third straight win.
Caris LeVert top-scored with 22 for a Nets side that slipped to a third consecutive defeat.
Rajon Rondo sets a #Pelicans franchise-high & career-best 25 assists – in 30 mins! #DoItBIG #NBAVote pic.twitter.com/fJZea6DDr7
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 28, 2017
The Minnesota Timberwolves needed overtime to beat the Denver Nuggets, edging the game 128-125.
They had Jimmy Carter to thank, with his 39 points – and 12 in overtime – proving pivotal.
The Toronto Raptors lost their second game in a row – after six straight wins – as they went down 124-107 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Russell Westbrook had 30 points and 13 assists to give the Thunder their sixth win in a row and 12th in their last 15.
Sure, let’s look at this one again. #whynot?
Russell Westbrook #NBAVote pic.twitter.com/DKt1opN3mt
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 28, 2017
Elsewhere, the Chicago Bulls beat the New York Knicks 92-87, the Atlanta Hawks saw off the Washington Wizards 113-99 and the Dallas Mavericks edged the Indiana Pacers 98-94.
The Boston Celtics recorded their 28th win of the season – Al Horford getting 20 points and 11 rebounds in a 102-91 win over the Charlotte Hornets, while the Cleveland Cavaliers lost their second game in a row with a shock 109-95 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
The Memphis Grizzlies beat the LA Lakers 109-99 with Tyreke Evans scoring 32 points, and Kevin Durant had 21 points as the Golden State Warriors beat the Utah Jazz 126-101.
