Paul Pierce scored 18 of his team-high 31 points in the fourth quarter to spark champions Boston Celtics to a second-half rally for a 99-92 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
The Celtics forward put in two straight jump shots in the final minute, and point guard Rajon Rondo recorded a triple double with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 14 assists to help Boston (44-11) head into the All-Star break with a momentous road win.
"This is going to make the All-Star weekend that much sweeter," Pierce told reporters. "It was the last game before the break, and a big win for us tonight."
"I felt good that whole fourth quarter. We kept running the same play and just took advantage of it."
Kevin Garnett had 16 points as the Celtics won their ninth straight road game. Ray Allen added 20 despite a hand injury picked up the night before against the New Orleans Hornets.
Mavericks All-Star Dirk Nowitzki poured in a game-high 37 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 1:28 left.
Pierce responded with an 11-footer on Boston's next possession and then added a pullup to make it 95-91 with 38 seconds left.
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