Two teams with a perfect 4-0 start to the season met in one of 10 NBA games last night, and it was reigning champions the Golden State Warriors who preserved their 100% record with a 112-108 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers in a battle between two of the Western Conference juggernauts.
The Warriors had outscored their opponents by a record 100 points in their first four matches, but were in a much closer battle last night. Last season's MVP Stephen Curry was the game's top scorer with 31 points and made one of seven three-pointers in the closing stages to seal victory.
Like Golden State, the Toronto Raptors are 5-0 after they won 103-98 on the road at the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Despite Russell Westbrook's 22 points and 16 assists, DeMar DeRozan (28 points) spearheaded Toronto to victory as they overcame an eight-point deficit in the final six minutes to win by five at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
One contest went to overtime last night, and it was the Houston Rockets who outlasted the Orlando Magic 119-114 to claim their second win of the season.
James Harden again struggled with his shooting, going 6-22 from the field for 28 points, but the shooting guard scored seven of the Rockets' nine points in the extra period to help them pull away. Orlando are 1-4 and each defeat has been by fewer than six points.
There was late drama at Verizon Center as Bradley Beal connected on a three-pointer with 0.3s remaining to complete the Washington Wizards' comeback against the San Antonio Spurs.
Beal finished with 25 points as the Wizards won the final quarter by 10 points to snatch victory from the Spurs.
The Cleveland Cavaliers improved to 4-1 with a 10-point victory over the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena.
LeBron James was the game's top scorer with 23 points as the Cavs clinched their fourth win in a row since a season-opening loss at the Chicago Bulls.
At Philips Arena, the Atlanta Hawks won their fifth straight match by overcoming the struggling Brooklyn Nets 101-87.
The Nets have lost all five of their games this season and despite Brook Lopez's 27 points and 11 rebounds, Atlanta's ball movement and error-free basketball was too much for them.
Portland Trail Blazers guards Damian Lillard (35 points) and CJ McCollum (27 points) both had big nights as the Utah Jazz were beaten 108-92 at home.
Lillard shot 14-27 for his second consecutive 30-point game, while Utah's Gordon Hayward again struggled with a 7-20 shooting performance.
The Indiana Pacers edged out the Boston Celtics 100-98 for their second win of the season.
Paul George had a double-double (26 points, 10 rebounds) as the Pacers came through in the dying moments thanks to a pair of free throws from Monta Ellis.
A balanced Phoenix Suns performance helped them easily overcome the Sacramento Kings 118-97.
All 13 Phoenix players that featured added points to the scoreboard, with Eric Bledsoe's 19 points and eight assists leading the way for the 3-2 Suns.
The Philadelphia 76ers are still waiting for their first win of the season after falling to defeat away at the Milwaukee Bucks.
Jabari Parker made his return after 11 months out for the Bucks, who were led by Khris Middleton's 21 points.
Results in full: Boston Celtics 98-100 Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs 99-102 Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets 87-101 Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks 86-96 Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic 114-119 Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers 87-91 Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors 103-98 Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings 97-118 Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers 108-92 Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers 108-112 Golden State Warriors
