ATLANTA, AP:

Atlanta provided a riposte to those assuming this season's NBA champion will come from the Western Conference by recording its ninth-straight win over such opponents with a 96-86 victory over Memphis on Wednesday.

The Hawks moved 2-1/2 games clear atop the Eastern Conference standings while one of their chief rivals in that race.

League-leading Golden State overcame a slow start to beat Indiana, while Houston comfortably beat a Cleveland team that is floundering in the ongoing absence of LeBron James. Houston roared past Cleveland in the fourth quarter to notch a 105-93 road win.

The Cavaliers played their sixth straight game without LeBron James, who is due to return in a week from a strained back and knee.

Golden State's Klay Thompson scored 40 points to help the Warriors shake off a slow start and beat Indiana 117-102.

Utah used a strong defensive effort to win 97-77 at Chicago.

Detroit stretched its out-of-the-blue winning streak to seven with a creditable 108-95 win at Dallas.

The Clippers beat the Lakers 114-89 in the all-Los Angeles clash, making it nine losses in ten games against its city rivals for the 16-time league champions.

Sacramento snapped a run of 12 straight losses against Oklahoma City by beating the Thunder 104-83.

Charlotte's Kemba Walker scored 31 points, including a tiebreaking three-point play with 1.4 seconds left that led the Hornets to a 98-94 victory over New Orleans.

Washington won 101-91 over the New York, handing the Knicks a 13th straight loss; a new record worst in the team's 69-year history.

Denver's Ty Lawson scored 23 points to lead the Nuggets past Orlando 93-90.

Boston won 89-81 at Brooklyn, with Avery Bradley scoring 21 points for the Celtics.

Phoenix won 113-111 at Minnesota, which has also lost 13 straight.

Milwaukee's Brandon Knight and Khris Middleton scored 18 points apiece, leading the Bucks past Philadelphia 97-77.