Thriller: James Harden leads rally, Houston Rockets overcome Dallas Mavericks

James Harden posted five points during the final stages as the Rockets ended a run of back-to-back defeats with a 95-92 win against the Mavericks at the Toyota Center in Houston on Saturday.

The Mavericks, who were on a six-game winning streak, held a four-point lead with less than a minute remaining, however Harden sparked a late run as Houston overhauled the visitors.

Harden converted two free throws to close the gap, while Monta Ellis failed to find the basket at the other end.

That paved the way for Harden, who made a jump shot and a free throw to put the Rockets ahead before Trevor Ariza put the result beyond doubt from the line.

Harden - in the absence of Dwight Howard - finished with a game-high 32 points as the Rockets improved to 10-3.

Patrick Beverley (20 points) and Donatas Motiejunas (14 points, 12 rebounds) also made it into double figures.

Ellis (17 points) led the way for the Mavericks (10-4), while Tyson Chandler contributed 13 points and 13 boards in a double-double display.

The Cavaliers lost for the fourth straight game as the in-form Raptors emerged 110-93 victors in Cleveland.

After losing to the Washington Wizards on Friday, the Cavaliers were off the pace yet again after surrendering a 13-point opening quarter lead.

Louis Williams (36 points) starred for the Eastern Conference-leading Raptors, registering his second consecutive match of 30 points or more.

Kyle Lowry (23 points) and DeMar DeRozan (20 points) combined for 43 points for the Raptors, who now boast an 11-2 win-loss record.

LeBron James was limited to 15 points, though he had 10 assists for the Cavs (5-7) as Kevin Love (23 points) and Kyrie Irving (21 points) led the way.

In other results, defending champions the San Antonio Spurs made it four straight wins courtesy of a 99-87 victory against the Brooklyn Nets.

Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins had 31 points and 18 points to lead the Sacramento franchise to a 113-101 win at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Washington Wizards were 111-000 winners over the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks accounted for the winless Philadelphia 76ers 91-83.

Chris Bosh shot 32 points, which included four three-pointers, and 10 rebounds as the Miami Heat beat the Orlando Magic 99-92.

The Indiana Pacers lost 106-83 to the Phoenix Suns, while the New Orleans Pelicans downed the Utah Jazz 106-94 on the back of Anthony Davis and his 43 points and 14 rebounds.