NBA: Monday night action sees Portland Trail Blazers make it seven in a row

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 27 points as the Portland Trail Blazers made it seven wins in a row by beating the Brooklyn Nets 108-98.

Wesley Matthews had 24 points while Damian Lillard pitched in with 19 to help Portland keep on the tail of the San Antonio Spurs for the league’s best record.

Shaun Livingston had 23 points for the Nets, who led 40-31 after the first quarter but could not hold off the red hot Trail Blazers.

The Chicago Bulls extended their winning run to five games with an 86-81 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.

Luol Deng led the Bulls with 21 points, while Carlos Boozer had 12 points and 17 rebounds.

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 68 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder edged out the Denver Nuggets 115-113.

Durant had 38 points and Westbrook added 30, while also pulling down 12 rebounds for the Thunder, who trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half.

Monta Ellis poured in 24 points as the Dallas Mavericks overcame the Philadelphia 76ers 97-94, while the Golden State Warriors saw off the Utah Jazz 98-87 and the Memphis Grizzlies were 106-102 winners over the Los Angeles Clippers.