Udonis Haslem scored the winning basket with just 1.3 seconds to play as the Miami Heat edged out the Philadelphia 76ers 107-105.
Philadelphia had tied the scores thanks to Andre Ihuodala with 20 seconds left but the Heat, for whom Dwyane Wade scored 30 points, hit back at the death.
Orlando Magic took a step towards clinching home advantage in the play-offs as racking up a 42-18 advantage in the first quarter saw them defeat the Indiana Pacers 118-96.
Toronto Raptors ended a five-game losing streak as they beat the Detroit Pistons 111-97 with Andrea Bargnani (33 points) and Amir Johnson (26) leading the way.
The Charlotte Bobcats, who are already assured of a play-off spot, saw off the New Jersey Nets 105-95 with Stephen Jackson grabbing 17 points and nine rebounds.
The New York Knicks needed a final-quarter rally to see off the Washington Wizards 114-103. Danilo Gallinari scored 24 points in the second half as the Knicks won the final quarter 40-21.
Joe Johnson scored 31 points as the Atlanta Hawks, the third seeds in the Eastern Conference beat potential play-off opponents Milwaukee 104-96.
San Antonio secured their 12th straight win over Minnesota with a 133-111 win against the Timberwolves.
Denver closed in on a second consecutive Northwestern division title as they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 123-101, JR Smith claiming 26 points.
Houston ensured that they will finish the season with a winning record after Kevin Martin helped himself to 39 points in their 117-107 success over Sacramento, with Martin landing all 16 free-throw attempts.
Portland were able to cope without injured guard Brandon Roy as they secured a 103-95 success against Oklahoma City, Marcus Camby gathering 30 points.
Dallas hung onto the second seed spot in the Western Conference a Dirk Nowitzki picked up 25 points in just 22 minutes in a 117-94 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.