Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson (13) attempts to pass the ball as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard P.J. Hairston (19) during the first half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, Jan 2, 2015. [Photo/Agencies, Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports]

Monta Ellis scored 22 points, Dirk Nowitzki had 17 and Tyson Chandler collected 16 rebounds to help the Mavericks to their fourth consecutive victory.

Kevin Durant scored 34 points to help Oklahoma City get the win and improve to 17-17 on the season. The Thunder started the season 3-12 with Durant sidelined by an injury.

Durant was 12 for 18 from the field in just 32 minutes, including a 4-for-7 performance from 3-point range. Russell Westbrook had 22 points and six assists for the Thunder.

Bradley Beal had 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for Washington, which has lost two in a row.

Atlanta (24-8) got its third straight win overall and sixth consecutive win over a Western Conference opponent.

Jeff Teague scored 25 points, Paul Millsap had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Al Horford scored 13 points for the Hawks.

Elsewhere, Kevin Love scored 27 points and Kyrie Irving had 23 as Cleveland ended a three-game losing streak with a 91-87 win over Charlotte.

Tristan Thompson added 14 points and 14 rebounds as the Cavaliers won their first game since announcing LeBron James would miss two weeks with knee and back strains.

New Orleans routed Houston 111-83, led by Ryan Anderson's 22 points and Tyreke Evans' 21. Omer Asik grabbed 11 rebounds, and Anthony Davis accounted for three of the Pelicans' eight blocked shots.

Memphis' Mike Conley had 19 points and nine assists and Marc Gasol scored 18 points as the Grizzlies edged the Lakers 109-106. It was Memphis' ninth win over the Lakers in 11 meetings and fifth in a row.

The New York Knicks' losing streak reached 10 games, meanwhile, with a 97-81 loss to Detroit. Brandon Jennings scored 29 points for the Pistons, while J.R. Smith led the Knicks (5-30) with 22.

Brooklyn earned its third straight victory with a 100-98 win over Orlando, Phoenix struggled early against NBA-worst Philadelphia before pulling away for a 112-96 win, and Indiana topped Milwaukee 94-91.