Neither side was able to nab an advantage throughout most of the game until a scoring spree from Kyrie Irving gave the Nets a tepid three-point lead with just under five seconds left on the clock on Tuesday.

Williamson then took the ball with a chance to set up a game-tying three-pointer, but some scrappy defence from Irving led the Pelicans forward to lose his grip on the ball out of bounds.

Joe Harris then drained two free throws to clinch the narrow victory for Brooklyn.

Things also went down to the wire in Portland as Paul George willed the Los Angeles Clippers to a thrilling one-point win over the Trail Blazers.

George scored 33 points to lead the Clippers to their ninth win in 10 games and the third spot in the Western Conference.

CJ McCollum finished with 28 points and five assists for the Blazers, but missed a potential game-winning mid-range jumper at the buzzer.

The New York Knicks clinched their seventh straight victory with a 109-97 win against the Charlotte Hornets.

RJ Barrett led the way for the Knicks with 24 points as they improved upon their longest winning streak since 2014.

The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled out one of their best performances of the season in a dominant 134-120 victory against the Sacramento Kings.

And Trae Young and Lou Williams combined for 47 points to propel the Atlanta Hawks over the Orlando Magic 112-96.

Australian Associated Press