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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
DALLAS (AP) – The Dallas Mavericks didn't need long to overcome
the initial shock of a pregame trade that changed the makeup of
their team.
|  | | Mavs guard Steve Nash drives past Celtics guard Kenny Anderson. |
Dirk Nowitzki scored 23 points as the Mavericks, just hours
after completing an eight-player trade with Washington, beat the
Boston Celtics 98-91 Thursday night.
"It was a little hard to concentrate in the beginning of the
game," Nowitzki said. "I think we were thinking too much about
the trade, but then we got it out of our head."
With just 10 players in uniform, the Mavericks trailed for most
of the first half before a 13-3 run in the final 3:06 put them
ahead for good.
Gary Trent, whose 16 minutes were six more than his season
average, ignited that game-turning run with a baseline jumper as
the shot clock expired with 3:06 left. He also had a blocked shot
that led to another jumper.
Greg Buckner converted a three-point play with 1.9 seconds left
in the first half. After briefly losing control of the ball in the
lane, he picked it up and made a 7-foot jumper as he was fouled.
"We did start sluggish, but it's expected when you have a
change like we did prior to the game," said Buckner, who because
of the trade started for only the fifth time this season.
The Mavericks then led the rest of the way, building as much as
a 16-point lead before Boston got within 85-82 on two free throws
by Vitaly Potapenko with 5:16 left. But Nowitzki responded with a
3-pointer as the shot clock ran out and the Mavericks went on to
rebuild their lead to double-digits.
In the trade, the Mavericks obtained Juwan Howard, Calvin Booth
and Obinna Ekezie from Washington for Christian Laettner, Courtney
Alexander, Loy Vaught, Hubert Davis and Etan Thomas.
That depleted the Dallas bench. Rookie Eduardo Najera, who
hadn't played since Dec. 17 because of a strained groin, and
Donnell Harvey (right elbow tendinitis) had to be taken off the
injured list to give the Mavericks 10 players in uniform.
Najera responded with nine points on 4-of-7 shooting and a
team-high 12 rebounds. Harvey didn't play.
"I was ready to play. I feel healthy and 100 percent," Najera
said. "I was getting frustrated just practicing. There were a lot
of distractions before the game. Coach (Don Nelson) just said don't
worry about the trade. He said just focus on the game."
Right before that Dallas run at the first half, Boston had tied
the game at 43 with six points in 22 seconds. After Nowitzki's
putback was nullified by a questionable foul call against him, he
argued and was given a technical foul.
Bryant Stith hit a free throw and Eric Williams added two more.
Milt Palacio ended the possession with a 3-pointer that tied the
game at 43.
Paul Pierce had 23 points to lead the Celtics, who lost their
third straight road game. Antoine Walker added 17 and Potapenko had
16.
"Defensively, we didn't get it done. We got ourselves in a hole
and did not recover," Pierce said.
Boston ends a seven-game road trip, its longest of the season,
Friday night at San Antonio.
Bucker finished with 15 points for Dallas, including another
three-point play midway through the third quarter. He was fouled by
Pierce while making a reverse layup, and added the free throw for a
66-50 lead.
"Our guys scrapped to get back in the game," said Boston coach
Jim O'Brien. "They had to go to the bench, and that's when we made
the run back. But a little too little, too late."
Michael Finley added 19 points and Shawn Bradley 14 for Dallas.
Game notes
The Celtics have lost six straight in Dallas. Their last
road win in the series was in 1994. ... Dallas is 6-3 in February
with three games to play this month. They haven't had a losing
month this season. ... Dallas owner Mark Cuban said he intended to
send his plane to pick up the newest Mavericks so they could
practice Friday and play Saturday night at home against San
Antonio. ... Cuban was back after serving a two-game suspension for
running onto the court during a game last week.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Boston Clubhouse
Dallas Clubhouse
Jordan, Wizards send Howard to Mavericks
Trade breakdown: Howard to Mavs
Your thoughts on the Howard trade
RECAPS
Sacramento 115
Washington 110
Charlotte 93
Golden State 91
Utah 90
Portland 84
LA Clippers 93
Chicago 80
Dallas 98
Boston 91
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