LeBron James scored 28 points as the Los Angeles Lakers edged a narrow victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Reigning NBA champions the Lakers, without the injured Anthony Davis, won 117-115 with James adding seven rebounds and seven assists.
Zach LaVine top-scored for the Bulls with 38 points, 19 of which came in the first quarter.
"Good win, men." – @KingJames pic.twitter.com/4Gc8b1jkuo
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 9, 2021
Elsewhere, Stephen Curry scored 38 points as the Golden State Warriors beat the Los Angeles Clippers 115-105.
The Warriors netted 20 three-pointers to avenge their defeat by the Clippers on Wednesday, bouncing back from 22 points behind to secure their fifth win in seven games.
The Boston Celtics won their sixth game in seven as they saw off the Washington Wizards 116-107.
Jayson Tatum scored 32 points while Jaylen Brown added 27 to leave the Wizards bottom of the Eastern Conference with just two wins to their name.
Great way to start the weekend. #LakersWin @KingJames: 28 pts, 7 reb, 7 ast@MONSTATREZZ: 17 pts, 14 reb
Dennis Schröder: 17 ptshttps://t.co/Hp3mTY2Uf1— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 9, 2021
One place above are the Detroit Pistons, who took a slender 110-105 victory over second in the Western Conference Phoenix Suns, while the Toronto Raptors also won with a 144-123 result over the Sacramento Kings.
Zion Williamson scored 26 but could not prevent the New Orleans Pelicans from slipping to a 118-110 defeat by the Charlotte Hornets.
Six Hornets players hit double figures in what was a third straight defeat for the Pelicans in a four-game homestand.
The Memphis Grizzlies ended a five-game home losing streak with a 115-110 win over the Brooklyn Nets, while James Harden and Christian Wood both recorded double-doubles as the Houston Rockets defeated Orlando Magic 132-90.
Utah Jazz made a franchise-record 25 three-pointers in their 131-118 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, while Hamidou Diallo scored a season-high 23 points as Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New York Knicks 101-89.
