Rockets snap Hawks' streak, Knicks win NY derby

Atlanta's winning streak has come to an end in Houston, ending at 11 thanks to the home side's 117-95 victory.

Kevin Durant scored 25 points and Jabari Smith Jr. 23 on Friday night as the Rockets improved to 42-27 and fourth in the Western Conference standings.

Australian duo Dyson Daniels and Jock Landale had quiet nights for the Hawks (38-32), combining for just nine points, four rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker led them with 21 points and CJ McCollum had 17, but Atlanta shot just 42 per cent from the field and 26 per cent from three-point range to remain eighth in the Eastern Conference.

Denver went fifth in the West, above Minnesota, after the Nuggets defeated Toronto 121-115 and the Timberwolves' 108-104 home loss to Portland.

Jamal Murray scored 31 points and Nikola Jokic made a go-ahead jumper with 45 seconds left to finish with 22 points and nine rebounds, for Denver (43-28), who improved to 8-8 since the All-Star break.

Jakob Poeltl scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Raptors (39-30), who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

In Detroit, Jalen Duren scored 23 points as the East-leading Pistons beat Golden State 115-101.

Daniss Jenkins had 22 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for Detroit, who have won six of their last seven games to go 51-19.

The Warriors (33-37) stay 10th in the West, having lost seven of eight.

Boston are second in the East and they saw off the Grizzlies 117-112 in Memphis.

Jaylen Brown scored 30 points, Luka Garza added a season-high 22 and Payton Pritchard added 19 points for the Celtics (47-23), who have won four straight.

In New York, Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and 15 rebounds and the hosts outlasted Brooklyn 93-92 for their fourth consecutive victory.

Jalen Brunson scored 17 points and OG Anunoby finished with 16 for the Knicks (46-25), who beat the Nets for the 14th straight time to consolidate third spot in the East.

With AAP.