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Rapid Fire: Mavericks Start Home Stand Off Right With Victory Over Celtics

 

Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks hits a three pointer and is fouled on the play against the Boston Celtics on January 18, 2016 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

 

On the second night of their 11th back-to-back game of the season, the Dallas mavericks (24-19) dwindled away a 17-point, first-half lead only to give you high blood pressure with a 118-113 overtime win over the Boston Celtics (22-20).

 

Dirk Nowitzki ended up with a double-double while tying his season high of 31 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Four other Mavericks scored in double figures; Deron Williams had 20 points, Chandler Parsons had 16, Wesley Matthews dropped 15 points and Raymond Felton scored 14 points off the bench. 

 

The mavericks got off to a quick start opening up with a 17-2 run. Matthews was firing off arrows in the first quarter as he put up 11 points and the Mavericks would lead by as many as 16 points in the quarter. 

 

In the second quarter the Celtics would claw their way to a single digit deficit only to see it rise and find themselves down by 13 points at the halfway point. 

 

With 9:02 in the third quarter the Mavericks would enter the bonus after a quick string of fouls by the Celtics. It was the only thing going for the Mavs in the quarter as they saw their once 17-point lead dissipate and the Celtics would take their first lead 65-54 by a pair of free-throw from Jae Crowder with 2:45 remaining in the quarter. By the end of the third, it was a 72-70 lead for Boston. 

 

The fourth quarter was a back and forth game coming down to the last two minutes. After two free throws by Jared Sullinger the Mavericks would hold a one-point lead with 2:23 left to play. 

 

The AAC would then explode as Nowitzki converted a four-point play after being fouled by Kelly Olynyk giving the Mavs a 94-89 lead with 1:27 left on the clock, but the Celtics weren’t finished.

 

 

 

Boston would then go on a 6-0 run and lead but Nowitzki would find himself again at the free throw line, knocking down two shots to give the Mavs a one-point lead with 23.0 seconds on the clock. 

 

A superb defensive stance by Zaza Puchila forced a Sullinger air ball leading to two free throw by Williams giving the Mavericks a three point lead with 14.5 second left. 

 

We won the game right? Wrong! 

 

Felton would end up fouling Crowder on a three point attempt and with ice in his veins the former Maverick who was traded almost a year ago to this day would knock down all three and send the game to overtime at 98-98.

 

The Mavericks opened the extra period the same way they did against the Cavaliers, with a Parsons corner three. Williams then hit back-to-back three’s going on to score 10 of his 20 points in overtime. He would also tally a huge assist as he found Nowitzki in the corner for the three to go up 112-105 with 35.4 seconds left. 

 

As the young Boston Celtics tried to make it interesting hitting two more three’s to trail 114-111 with 17.0 seconds remaining, the Mavericks would hit their free throws to put the game away. 

 

It was the first of a three-game homestand for the Dallas Mavericks. They are back in action Wednesday to host the Minnesota Timberwolves (13-29).

 

QUICK FACT: 

The Mavericks now have seven straight wins against the Celtics. 

 

How to Watch:

Game tips off at 7:30 PM CT on Fox Sports Southwest and ESPN 103.3 radio.

I love Social Media and the Dallas Mavericks. Follow my journey — @TrevorPeele.

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