Jayson Tatum overcame a slow start to score a team-high 32 points as the Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to 10 games by beating the visiting Dallas Mavericks 138-110 Friday night.
Tatum had two points after 17 minutes but finished 10-for-19 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds. Jaylen Brown added 25 points and Kristaps Porzingis tossed in 24.
Boston was 21 of 43 (48.8 percent) from beyond the 3-point line. Tatum connected on 5-of-9 3-point attempts. Porzingis made four 3-pointers, while Jrue Holiday and Derrick White each finished with three.
Luka Doncic had 37 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the Mavericks. It was his 12th triple-double of the season and the 10th straight game he has scored at least 25 points.
The Celtics led by 12 after three quarters and pushed their lead to 112-94 by scoring 10 of the first 14 points in the fourth. Boston had a 131-103 lead after Al Horford made a 3-pointer with 3:57 to play. Boston made each of its 13 free-throw attempts.
Dallas received 19 points from Kyrie Irving, 17 from P.J. Washington and 15 from Dereck Lively II. Washington also had seven rebounds.
The Mavericks shot 26.5 percent from 3-point territory (9 of 34). Doncic and Washington each made a team-high three 3-pointers.
It was Boston’s second victory over Dallas this season. The Celtics beat the Mavericks 119-110 in Dallas on Jan. 22.
Boston made 7 of its 13 3-point attempts in the first quarter and led 38-32 after 12 minutes. Doncic scored 16 points in the quarter.
The Celtics extended their advantage to 12 points in the second quarter and led 66-59 at halftime. All four of Porzingis’ 3-pointers came in the first half.
The Mavericks cut their deficit to two points midway through the third but trailed 102-90 after three quarters. Tatum scored 16 points in the third.
–Field Level Media