Rajon Rondo helped the Dallas Mavericks to victory on his first appearance for his new team as they edged out the San Antonio Spurs.

The point guard joined the Mavericks in a trade from the Boston Celtics earlier this week, and contributed nine assists and seven rebounds on his debut, while Monta Ellis led to scoring with 38.

The Los Angeles Clippers needed a late push to secure a win over the Milwaukee Bucks, which gave them their 19th victory of the season.

The Bucks were ahead late on, but Chris Paul added nine of his 27 points in the final four minutes, while Blake Griffin finished the game with 24 to make sure of the win.

The teams had been level with just over 90 seconds to play, but Ellis split the tie as he matched his season-high score.

The Portland Trail Blazers cruised to a comfortable win over the New Orleans Pelicans for a 10th win in 12 games.

Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge combined for 44 to help the visitors to a 32-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, before coasting through the final 12 minutes.

The Atlanta Hawks made it 12 wins in 13 games as they held off a second-half comeback from the Houston Rockets.

The Hawks were cruising at half time, but Dwight Howard and James Harden got the Rockets back into the game after the break, before Kyle Korver stepped up to halt the comeback.

The Phoenix Suns dominated the fourth quarter to wrap up a win over the New York Knicks, who have now lost seven games in a row at home.

The encounter was finely balanced heading into the fourth quarter, but Isaiah Thomas started the final period with a three-pointer to open an 8-0 unanswered run for Phoenix which set up the win.

The Charlotte Hornets secured their first win over the Utah Jazz in six years by easing to victory at the Time Warner Cable Arena.

Al Jefferson helped open up a big early lead for the hosts, while Kemba Walker kept the points coming for the Hornets, finishing the game with 20.

The Denver Nuggets ground out a win in a defensive game against the Indiana Pacers, despite posting their lowest score of the season.

Danilo Gallinari led a fourth-quarter charge that sealed the win for the hosts, finishing the game with 19 points.

Results in full: Phoenix Sun 99-90 New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers 114-88 New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz 86-104 Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks 104-97 Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs 93-99 Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers 73-76 Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks 102-106 Los Angeles Clippers