The longest winning run in the NBA came to an end last night as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in one of three Thursday-night contests.
OKC travelled to Quicken Loans Arena, but could not make it seven wins in a row as the Eastern Conference-leading Cavs hung on for a 104-100 victory that was their fourth straight success.
LeBron James top-scored with 33 points for Cleveland, but was also involved in a scary moment when he scrambled for a loose ball and took out a spectator in the first row. It soon became clear that it was Ellie Day, the wife of world number two golfer Jason Day, and she had to leave the arena on a stretcher before being discharged from hospital later that night.
At Staples Center, the Houston Rockets beat the Los Angeles Lakers for the second time in six days.
James Harden (25 points) and Dwight Howard (16 points, 15 rebounds) shone for the visitors, while Kobe Bryant (22 points) led the way for LA and also delighted the crowd with his first dunk of the season.
In a battle between two of the East's top six, the Charlotte Hornets overcame the Toronto Raptors 109-99 in overtime for their 11th win in 15 home games this term.
It was a first win in three for the Hornets, who were propelled to victory by Jeremy Lin's season-high 35 points.
Results in full: Toronto Raptors 99-109 Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder 100-104 Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets 107-87 Los Angeles Lakers
Pascal Lemesre
