NBA: Miami cruise, Hawks edge Celtics
The Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks had contrasting wins on Friday as they maintained their dominance of the NBA South-East Division.
While Miami breezed past the Detroit Pistons 110-88 with 29 points from Dwyane Wade, the Hawks were forced into double overtime by the Boston Celtics.
At that point, however, they cut loose, winning the second additional period 16-4 for a 123-111 final score.
Josh Smith sparked the sixth-period surge with three points on his way to a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds. Al Horford then added five and Devin Harris four, the former finishing with 24 points while Kyle Korver top-scored with 27.
Boston's Rajon Rondo had 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, his fifth triple-double of the season.
There was a rare win for divisional strugglers the Washington Wizards, who beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-101 for only their 10th win of the season.
In the South-West Division, leading trio the San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets all won.
Tony Parker scored 23 points despite missing almost a quarter with a cut above his eye as the Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 113-107.
Memphis hammered the Brooklyn Nets 101-77, while James Harden's 30-point haul led the Rockets to a 100-82 win over the New Orleans Hornets, who will rebrand as the Pelicans from next season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder remained in command of the North-West Division after a 105-95 win over the Sacramento Kings, Kevins Durant and Martin with 24 points apiece.
Central Division pair Chicago and Cleveland both won, the Bulls beating the Golden State Warriors 103-87 with 25 points from Kirk Hinrich while the Cavaliers used 35 from Kyrie Irving to edge out the Milwaukee Bucks 113-108.
The Los Angeles Lakers easily beat the Utah Jazz 102-84. Metta World Peace and Dwight Howard scored 17 points apiece, the latter adding 13 rebounds, while Kobe Bryant had 14 points and 14 assists.