LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their eighth straight NBA win as DeMarcus Cousins inspired the Sacramento Kings.

James had 31 points and six assists as the Cavs battled past the New York Knicks 90-84 at Madison Square Garden.

Carmelo Anthony finished with 26 points for the Knicks, but 22 of those came during a 53-point first half for his team.

Mo Williams (20 points) helped James on the scoring front, including hitting a jump shot with 41 seconds remaining to put the Cavs ahead.

Cousins was the hero for the Kings as they held on for a 111-109 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

He had a double-double of 40 points and 13 rebounds, while Rajon Rondo had yet another triple-double with 23 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds.

Russell Westbrook also had a triple-double as he guided the Oklahoma City Thunder past the winless Philadelphia 76ers 102-85.

Westbrook contributed 21 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists in the Thunder's win.

Zach Randolph made a last-second basket as the Memphis Grizzlies edged the Portland Trail Blazers 101-100.

James Harden had 28 points for the Houston Rockets, but they suffered a 107-98 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics were 106-93 winners over the Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago Bulls beat the Charlotte Hornets 102-97.

Paul George's 29 points helped the Indiana Pacers past the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-103 and the Toronto Raptors comfortably overcame the New Orleans Pelicans 100-81.

The Orlando Magic claimed a 102-93 win over the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 90-82.