The Golden State Warriors eased to a comfortable win over the Sacramento Kings after dominating the first half at the Sleep Train Arena.

Stephen Curry led a 23-0 run before the break to open up a 21-point lead for the Western Conference leaders, while Sacramento were prevented from adding to the score for seven minutes.

DeMarcus Cousins led a brief comeback for Sacramento before the Golden State reserves restored their lead in the fourth quarter to secure their fourth win of the season over their Pacific Division rivals.

The Portland Trail Blazers won for the first time in four outings as they edged to a one-point victory over the Utah Jazz.

Robin Lopez returned from a 23-game absence with a fractured hand, scoring 11, while Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge added 47 between them.

The sides were close throughout, with Joe Ingles closing the gap to just two points inside the final 10 seconds, but Aldridge made a couple of free throws to hold off a late effort from Trey Burke.

The Detroit Pistons made a strong start to set up a win over the Miami Heat at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

DJ Augustin led the charge as the Pistons closed the first quarter with a 25-1 run before Chris Bosh tried to get the Heat back into contention after the break with 21 of his 34 points in the third quarter.

However, Augustin finished with 25 to ensure that the Heat could not complete their comeback in the final minutes of the game.

The Boston Celtics ended their three-game run without a win with a comfortable victory over the New York Knicks.

The Knicks had been in form coming into the game, with five wins in their last seven, but the home side struggled to support Carmelo Anthony, who led the scoring with 21.

Marcus Smart ensured that the Celtics took the lead early on with back-to-back three-pointers, and they never trailed as Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger combined for 48.

The Philadelphia 76ers won their third home game in a row as Hollis Thompson scored a career-high 23 points against the Denver Nuggets.

The hosts dominated the first half, opening up a 21-point advantage by half time as Hollis, Robert Covington and Michael Carter-Williams led the scoring.

Results in full: Denver Nuggets 98-105 Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat 91-108 Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics 108-97 New York Knicks, Utah Jazz 102-103 Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors 121-96 Sacramento Kings