Mavericks 101, Celtics 97
Jason Kidd hit a 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left as the Dallas Mavericks scored 10 straight points to post a 101-97 victory Friday over the host Boston Celtics, who lost both games of the season series in the final seconds.
The shot was set up when Jason Terry fed Dirk Nowitzki in the low post. Three defenders sagged toward the German, who fed a wide-open Kidd at the top of the key as he pump-faked a closing Ray Allen and calmly drained the game-winner.
Rajon Rondo overthrew Kevin Garnett on an alley-oop pass after a timeout and Nowitzki drained two free throws with 2.2 seconds left to ice it.
On Nov. 8 in Dallas, Nowitzki hit a fade-away jumper with 17.9 seconds remaining to provide Dallas an 89-87 win.
Nowitzki scored 29 points, Tyson Chandler added 14 and 15 rebounds and Terry had 17 points off the bench for Dallas, which led for most of the first three quarters.
Allen had 24 points and Kendrick Perkins added 13 and 12 rebounds in his first start for the Celtics, who dropped to 22-4 at home.
Boston looked in control after Perkins converted a layup for a 97-91 lead with 2:43 left, but Nowitzki converted a three-point play and Terry hit two free throws to set up the game-winning shot after Garnett missed a wide-open 20-footer.