LeBron James sat out due to illness and the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Chicago Bulls, while the Golden State Warriors posted another win. 

Four-time NBA MVP James was sidelined with a sore throat and the Bulls took advantage against the reigning champions, winning 117-99 in Cleveland on Saturday.

The Warriors made it three successive victories by seeing off the visiting Brooklyn Nets 112-95.

James Harden starred as the Houston Rockets outlasted the Minnesota Timberwolves 142-130.

BUTLER, WADE SINK CAVS

With James sidelined, Chicago's star duo took centre stage.

Butler had a triple-double consisting of 18 points, 10 rebounds and as many assists, while Wade posted 20 points.

Kyrie Irving put up 34 points for the Cavs, who are now 4-19 without James since his return to Cleveland in 2014.

SPLASH BROTHERS LEAD WARRIORS

Steph Curry and Klay Thompson inspired the Warriors on home court against the Nets.

Reigning MVP Curry had 27 points and Thompson added 24 of his own in the absence of Kevin Durant, who sat out due to a finger problem, as the Warriors became the first team to clinch a playoff berth. 

ROCKETS WIN SHOOT-OUT

It was a high-scoring encounter as the Rockets soared past the Timberwolves.

Harden scored 24 points and 10 assists in a double-double for the Rockets, who won for the sixth time in seven games.

The Timberwolves were led by Karl-Anthony Towns (37 points, 22 rebounds) and Andrew Wiggins (30 points).

CARMELO WITH THE BUZZER-BEATER, HORNETS END SKID

Carmelo Anthony silenced his critics with 37 points, including a jumper with 0.3 seconds remaining, as the New York Knicks trumped the Philadelphia 76ers 110-109.

The Charlotte Hornets snapped their five-game losing streak after downing the Sacramento Kings 99-85, the Dallas Mavericks were too good for the New Orleans Pelicans 96-83, the Miami Heat defeated the Indiana Pacers 113-95 and the Orlando Magic beat the Atlanta Hawks 105-86.

CELTICS AT PISTONS

The Boston Celtics need to bounce back on Sunday after an ugly loss to the Toronto Raptors that saw tempers flare on both sides. The Detroit Pistons have an abundance of quality players, but they cannot get the same guy to step up on a consistent basis. Isaiah Thomas has been one of the best players in the NBA this season. The San Antonio Spurs are away to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Pelicans, while the Los Angeles Clippers welcome the Hornets.