The Miami Heat slipped to second in the Eastern Conference after losing to the Memphis Grizzlies, leaving the two-time defending champions with three defeats in their last four games.
Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 26, while Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol were also among the points to keep Memphis in contention for the playoffs.
The Indiana Pacers capitalised on the Heat's defeat with a win over the Milwaukee Bucks to put themselves back at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The visitors rested their starters, allowing Chris Copeland to lead the team to a narrow victory with 18 points, which is his best of the season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder did enough to survive a late comeback from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant combined for 57 to put the Thunder ahead, while Serge Ibaka denied JJ Redick late on.
The Atlanta Hawks increased their hold on the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with a win over the Boston Celtics.
The Hawks, who are battling with the New York Knicks for eighth place in the conference, were behind heading into the fourth quarter, but Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver helped the hosts outscore Boston by 15 in the final 12 minutes to take the win.
The Orlando Magic finished strongly to beat the Brooklyn Nets and secure their second win in a row.
The game was close throughout, but Arron Afflalo scored five points inside the final two minutes, while Jameer Nelson added four free throws late on and Kyle O'Quinn made a block in the final seconds to secure the win.
The Chicago Bulls cruised to a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, led by DJ Augustin and Joakin Noah.
The duo combined for 36 to cancel out Kevin Love's attempts to keep the Wolves in the game.
Jonas Valanciunas led the Toronto Raptors to a comfortable win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The center scored a career-high 26 points and also made 12 rebounds, while Kyle Lowry scored 29 in his first game back after three out with a knee injury.
The Portland Trail Blazers needed a late basket from Dorell Wright to claim a win over the Sacramento Kings.
Wright made a three-pointer inside the final eight seconds to give the Blazers victory by a single point.
The Charlotte Bobcats needed overtime to clinch victory over the Washington Wizards, leaving them on a five-game winning streak.
The visitors looked comfortable early on, opening up a 20-point lead in the first half, but Marcin Gortat led the Washington comeback.
However, the home side struggled in overtime, as John Wall picked up their only point in the extra period with a free throw inside the final minute, allowing Kemba Walker to seal the victory for Charlotte.
The Phoenix Suns picked up their third win in a row by beating the New Orleans Pelicans.
Gerald Green came off the bench to score 21, helping the Suns pull away after the break, having led by just one after the first two quarters.
The Denver Nuggets proved too strong for the Houston Rockets after dominating the start of the second half.
Randy Foye scored 24 of his 30 points in the second half before they survived a late surge from the hosts.
The Cleveland Cavaliers thrashed the Detroit Pistons, but other results ensured that their chances of reaching the playoffs are over.
The Cavaliers looked in control from the start and led by 32 points at the break, while Dion Waiters finished the game with 22.
Results in full: Detroit Pistons 100-122 Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets 111-115 Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers 114-125 Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Bobcats 94-99 Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics 97-105 Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat 102-107 Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers 104-102 Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls 102-87 Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns 94-88 New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets 116-123 Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings 99-100 Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder 107-101 Los Angeles Clippers
