Mavericks 89, Celtics 73
MAVERICKS 89, CELTICS 73: Dirk Nowitzki had 26 points and a season-high 16 rebounds and host Dallas won for the seventh time in eight games while handing Boston its fourth straight loss.
Nowitzki moved into 20th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 23,354 career points, passing former Celtics center Robert Parish (23,334). Nowitzki also blocked two shots to raise his career total to 1,001.
Paul Pierce scored 20 points and Ray Allen added 15 points for Boston, which has lost six of seven games.
The Celtics were without point guard Rajon Rondo (suspended for two games after throwing a ball at an official during Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons), and forwards Kevin Garnett (personal reasons) and Brandon Bass (knee).
Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd had eight assists and three steals and moved pass Michael Jordan into second place on the all-time steals list. Kidd has 2,517 career steals, well behind leader John Stockton (3,265).
Jason Terry added 16 points for Dallas.
The Mavericks led by as many as 26 while defeating Boston for the second time this season.
Nowitzki had 21 first-half points as the Mavericks led 44-34 at halftime. Dallas boosted the lead to 20 on Kidd’s 3-pointer with 5:24 left in the third quarter.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Celtics center Jermaine O’Neal (sprained left wrist) and forward Chris Wilcox (groin) left the game with injuries. … Nowitzki has scored 20 or more points in nine of the last 10 games. … Rondo will also miss Wednesday’s game against Oklahoma City … Mavericks forward Lamar Odom had four points on 2-of-8 shooting and has only 11 points over the past three games.