Trevor Ariza starred late as the Houston Rockets rallied past the New York Knicks 116-111 in overtime in the NBA on Sunday.

Ariza made a three-pointer with just over a minute remaining in the additional period before a pair of free throws from Rockets team-mate Marcus Thornton sealed the win.

The Rockets, who erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter, forced overtime after Thornton hit a shot from beyond the arc to level the score at 101-apiece at the end of regulation.

Ariza finished with 16 points and Thornton tallied 18, while James Harden led the Rockets with 26.

Arron Afflalo posted 31 points for the Knicks, who were missing star Carmelo Anthony due to illness.

The Philadelphia 76ers matched the worst start to an NBA season after losing 92-84 to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Philadelphia led by five points with less than eight minutes remaining but the 76ers were overpowered late as they fell to an 18th consecutive defeat to start to the season.

The loss tied the 0-18 opening by the New Jersey Nets in 2009-10.

Mike Conley scored 20 points for the Grizzlies, while the Isaiah Canaan led the Sixers with 16.

The slumping Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, were beaten 107-103 by the Indiana Pacers after Kobe Bryant announced his retirement.

Bryant revealed he would walk away from basketball at the end of the season - his 20th in the NBA - prior to tip-off in Los Angeles on Sunday but it was not enough to inspire the Lakers, who suffered a sixth consecutive defeat.

The 37-year-old was four-of-20 from the field for 13 points.

Blake Griffin posted 26 points and Chris Paul contributed 20 as the Los Angeles Clippers saw off the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-99.

The Phoenix Suns edged the Toronto Raptors 107-102, the Charlotte Hornets were 87-82 winners over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Brooklyn Nets upstaged the Detroit Pistons 87-83 and the Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 110-91.