Damian Lillard tied an NBA career-high with 61 points and assisted Hassan Whiteside on what proved to be the game-winning dunk in Portland's 134-131 defeat of Dallas.

Lillard also became the first player in Portland franchise history to score 50-plus points in consecutive games.

But while Lillard was re-writing the record books, Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo was making headlines for much more controversial reasons.

Antetokounmpo was ejected in the second quarter of Milwaukee's game against Washington for head-butting Moritz Wagner.

He was whistled for a charging foul for running into the Washington centre, the two then jawed briefly and Antetokounmpo lowered his head and somewhat gently drove his forehead into Wagner's left temple.

Neither player was injured, and Antetokounmpo was ejected immediately as the Bucks beat the Wizards 126-113.

Helping Lillard shoulder the offensive load for Portland was Carmelo Anthony, who scored 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the floor and 3-of-5 from behind the 3-point line. Anthony and Lillard combined for 12 of Portland's 15 made 3-pointers.

Jeremiah Martin and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot each scored 24 points as Brooklyn beat Orlando 108-96 and both teams looked ahead to the NBA playoffs.

Dzanan Musa added 17 points and Tyler Johnson had 14 for the Nets, who improved to 5-2 in the restart with their third straight victory.

With the Nets locked into the No.7 seed in the Eastern Conference and the Magic eighth, the teams went with limited rosters while getting players extra rest.

Devin Booker had 35 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to lift the surging Phoenix Suns past a depleted Philadelphia 76ers 130-117.

Mikal Bridges added 24 points, Dario Saric contributed 18 and Ricky Rubio had 16 points and 10 assists as the Suns moved to 7-0 in the bubble.

The short-handed Sixers played without all five starters from opening night - Ben Simmons (knee), Joel Embiid (ankle), Josh Richardson (rest), Tobias Harris (ankle) and Al Horford (knee).

In other games, San Antonio defeated Houston 123-105 and Boston were too clinical for Memphis in a 122-107 victory.

Memphis have lost their secured grip on the eighth seed in the Western Conference with their sixth defeat in seven seeding games.

Harrison Barnes scored 25 points as Sacramento defeated a below-strength New Orleans.