Josh Giddey has put up his best scoring numbers this NBA season to lead Oklahoma City to a 135-127 double-overtime win at home against Toronto.
The Australian guard finished with a game-high 24 points on Sunday (Monday AEDT) as he helped overcome a 23-point deficit and lift the Thunder back to the top of the Western Conference standings.
Giddey also chimed in with six rebounds, six assists and two blocks, while teammates Luguentz Dort and Chet Holmgren had 22 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 21 and Aaron Wiggins 20.
"Part of being a winning team and a good team require sacrifices," Giddey told the OKC website.
"Guys are really willing to do that. We got a really unselfish group that are happy to see each other be successful, that's what makes a good team.
"We're lucky we got that type of lockeroom - that's one through 18. Whoever's out on the floor, guys are happy to see other guys do well. I think that creates a good culture and helps to win games."
The Thunder stormed back into the contest midway through the third quarter with a 17-2 run to pull to 78-72 and levelled it at 110-110 after Giddey's inbound pass was converted by Wiggins with 4.7 seconds remaining.
Oklahoma City hit 23 of 63 three-pointers to tie a franchise record.
Earlier, Minnesota also improved to 35-15 in the West after their 111-90 victory at home to Houston.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 32 points, including 22 in the third term, and Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 13 rebounds.
The NBA-best Celtics cruised past a short-handed Memphis in Boston 131-91.
Jayson Tatum scored 34 points before sitting out the final quarter, while Kristaps Porzingis added 26 to help the Celtics go 23-3 at TD Garden, and 38-12 overall.
Defending champions Denver finished strong to defeat Portland 112-103.
Nikola Jokic scored 29 points, Jamal Murray added 21 points and 10 assists and the Nuggets (35-16) enjoyed their second victory over the Trail Blazers in 48 hours, despite not leading until the final seconds of the third quarter.
In Salt Lake City, Lauri Markkanen scored 21 points and Utah overcame a 19-point deficit to beat Milwaukee 123-108.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 33 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds as Milwaukee (33-17) dropped to 1-3 since Don Rivers took over as coach.
Bradley Beal scored a season-high 43 points on his return to Washington as Phoenix (29-21) routed the Wizards 140-112.
Beal played 11 seasons with the Wizards before being dealt to the Suns last off-season. He received a video tribute and standing ovation during player introductions before the game. Then he scored 26 points in the first half.
In Miami, Kawhi Leonard had 25 points and 11 rebounds, James Harden scored 16 of his 21 points in the second half and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Heat 109-95.
Harden flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 11 assists and eight assists.
The Clippers (33-15) are 25-5 since the start of December - by far the best record in the league over that span.
With AP.
