The New York Knicks put an end to their longest-ever single-season losing streak by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans for their first win in 17 as 24 of the NBA's 30 teams celebrated Martin Luther King Day yesterday.

Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks in points (24) and rebounds (nine) as they improved the league's worst record to 6-36 against a depleted Pelicans.

While the league's worst losing steak ended, the longest winning run in the NBA continued as the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks saw off the Detroit Pistons for their 13th win in a row.

Atlanta are now one win shy of equalling their club-record winning streak, despite Greg Monroe's 16 points and 20 rebounds for the Pistons.

Despite the Hawks' flying run, the NBA's best record remains with the Golden State Warriors, who matched a franchise record with their 16th straight victory at home.

The Denver Nuggets weren't at the races and ended up losing by 43 points at Oracle Arena as all 13 active Golden State players contributed to the scoreline.

The top individual performance of the night was from Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden, who poured in 45 points on 12-18 shooting and dished out seven assists in the victory over the Indiana Pacers.

It was a season-high points haul for the NBA's leading scorer as the Pacers suffered their fifth defeat on the bounce.

The Cleveland Cavaliers won their third game in a row and handed the Chicago Bulls their fourth defeat in five games at Quicken Loans Arena.

LeBron James led all scorers with 26 points, while JR Smith had 20, including six three-pointers, off the bench.

Third took on fourth in the West at FedExForum and it was the lower-ranked Dallas Mavericks that came out on top against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Monta Ellis scored 25 points and added seven assists as Dallas ended the Grizzlies' four-game winning streak.

The Portland Trail Blazers won their first game in four as they outlasted the Sacramento Kings 98-94 at Moda Center.

Damian Lillard had 22 points, including a key late basket, six rebounds and five assists for the Blazers.

In LA, the Los Angeles Clippers held on for a 102-93 victory over the Boston Celtics after leading by as many as 25 at Staples Center.

Blake Griffin top-scored with 22 points for the hosts, while DeAndre Jordan had 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The Toronto Raptors ended a two-game losing streak with a slim 92-89 triumph over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Kyle Lowry scored 18 points and was one of six Raptors to get into double figures, while opposing point-guard Brandon Knight had 20 in defeat for Milwaukee.

The Phoenix Suns maintained their healthy lead in the West's final playoff spot with a 115-100 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, who have now lost five in a row.

Phoenix guards Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas both had 24 points as the home side pulled away in the second half after an even first two quarters.

The Charlotte Hornets recorded their seventh victory in eight matches by downing the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-80 at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Al Jefferson managed eight points and five rebounds as he surprisingly came off the bench for Charlotte following a groin injury.

The Washington Wizards cruised past the struggling Philadelphia 76ers thanks to a hot start at Verizon Center.

Washington opened up a quick 16-point lead in the first quarter and never looked like relinquishing it, running out 111-76 winners.

Results in full: Minnesota Timberwolves 80-105 Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers 76-111 Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons 82-93 Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics 93-102 Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets 79-122 Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks 103-95 Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers 98-110 Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans 92-99 New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls 94-108 Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors 92-89 Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings 94-98 Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers 100-115 Phoenix Suns