Andrew Bogut's first big game of the NBA season wasn't enough to prevent Milwaukee slipping to an 83-81 loss to the Bulls in Chicago.

After a slow start to the new campaign, Bogut poured in 16 points, grabbed 13 boards and blocked three shots, but the Bucks (1-2 record) still managed to lose a game they should have won.

Trailing 43-29 at halftime and by 18 points midway through the third quarter, Chicago (2-2) suddenly sparked into life and reeled off a 12-0 run before storming home.

The Bucks still had a chance to win it, but Ersan Ilyasova's three-pointer in the dying seconds was way off target.

Apart from Bogut's impressive night, the other stand-out for Milwaukee was again rookie guard Brandon Jennings, who had 25 points to continue his outstanding start to the season.

Luol Deng had 24 points and 20 boards for the Bulls.

In other games, Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points and Chauncey Billups added 24 to help the Denver Nuggets beat Indiana 111-93 on Tuesday for their best start in 24 years.

The Nuggets are 4-0, their best start since the 1985-86 season, while the Pacers remain win-less.

In Philadelphia, Paul Pierce scored 21 points and Rasheed Wallace had 20 as Boston remained unbeaten with a 105-74 hammering of Philadelphia.

Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 17 points.

LeBron James scored 27 points and Shaquille O'Neal added a season-high 21 while wearing out Washington's big men as Cleveland beat the Wizards 102-90 for their third straight win.

Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas scored 22 apiece to lead the Wizards.

In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Ben Gordon scored 23 points as Detroit handed Orlando their first loss of the season, 85-80.

Detroit's Tayshaun Prince's streak of 496 straight games ended as he was sidelined with a back injury.

Vince Carter led Orlando with 15 points.

In Miami, Steve Nash scored 30 points and added eight assists as Phoenix beat Miami 104-96 in a match-up of previously unbeaten teams.

The Suns are now 4-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

Miami got 23 points from Dwyane Wade and 18 from Quentin Richardson.

Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki scored a club-record 29 of his 40 points during a frantic fourth-quarter comeback as the Mavericks beat Utah 96-85.

Nowitzki broke the franchise record of 24 points in any quarter set by Mark Aguirre against Denver on March 24, 1984.

And in Oklahoma, City, Kobe Bryant scored 31 points and hit the go-ahead jumper in overtime as the Los Angeles Lakers beat Oklahoma City 101-98 in their first road game of the season.