LEAD: Dirk delivers game-winner as Mavs edge Celtics 90-85

By Paul Levine Jan 12, 2012, 9:04 GMT

Los Angeles - After stumbling out of the gate, the Dallas Mavericks are starting to look like the reigning NBA Champions.

German wunderkind Dirk Nowitzki scored 16 points, including the tie-breaking three-point play with 5.1 seconds left, and the visiting Mavericks held off the Boston Celtics 90-85 on Wednesday night for their third consecutive victory.

'The team is finding itself a little bit,' said head coach Rick Carlisle, who was ejected in the third quarter after drawing two technical fouls. 'It's a challenging year for us. Getting momentum and keeping it is tough. Our goal is to keep it.'

Jason Terry had 18 points while Shawn Marion added 15 for Dallas (6-5), which has won six of eight since opening the season at 0-3.

Dallas led most of the way until Paul Pierce's straightaway three-pointer squared the game at 85-85 with 25 seconds remaining.

The Mavericks then turned to their best player and he delivered.

'It's a fun situation to be in,' said Nowitzki. 'Everybody's looking at you and your team really depends on you, so I like to be in the position where I can make something happen.'

Nowitzki took a pass on the right wing with 10 seconds left and the seven-footer drove past Kevin Garnett for the acrobatic layup while getting knocked down by Brandon Bass. He sank the ensuing free throw to make it 88-85.

'He was up tight on me, and I had to go to the basket,' Nowitzki said of Garnett. 'I saw the clock go down, and I really didn't see it go in.'

Boston's Ray Allen lost the ball out of bounds and Terry's layup sealed the win.

Rajon Rondo scored 24 while Garnett finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for Boston, losers of two in a row since winning four straight.

Elsewhere: LA Clippers 95, Miami Heat 89: Chris Paul had 27 points with 11 assists, Blake Griffin powered for 20 points and 12 rebounds, and the Clippers handed the Heat its second overtime road loss in as many nights.

LeBron James had 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Mario Chalmers scored 18 for Miami, which fell to Golden State in the extra session on Tuesday night.

New York Knicks 85, Philadelphia 76ers 79: Carmelo Anthony scored 27 points, Amar'e Stoudemire had 20 with 10 rebounds, and the host Knicks snapped the 76ers' six-game winning streak while extending their unbeaten run to four.

Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner scored 16 points apiece for Philadelphia, which fell short in its bid for three victories in as many nights.

LA Lakers 90, Utah Jazz 87 (OT): Kobe Bryant scored 40 points, including two free throws after Andrew Bynum blocked Al Jefferson's potential go-ahead jumper with 1.9 seconds left in overtime, and the Lakers edged the host Jazz for their fourth straight win.

Paul Millshap had 29 points for Utah, which had its five-game winning streak stopped.

Chicago Bulls 78, Washington Wizards 64: John Lucas III, filling in for injured reigning league most valuable player Derrick Rose (big left toe sprain), had a career-high 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists), leading the Bulls to their third victory in three nights.

Oklahoma City Thunder 95, New Orleans Hornets 85: Kevin Durant had 29 points and 10 rebounds, Russell Westbrook scored 22 and the visiting Thunder rolled to their second five-game winning streak of the season.

San Antonio Spurs 101, Houston Rockets 95 (OT): Frenchman Tony Parker scored 28 points, Richard Jefferson buried the go-ahead three with just over a minute left in overtime, and the Spurs improved to 7-0 at home after slipping past the Rockets.

Orlando Magic 107, Portland Trail Blazers 104: Dwight Howard had 13 points with 13 rebounds, and J.J. Redick sank four crucial free throws in the final 16 seconds, as the visiting Magic sent the Trail Blazers to their first home loss of the season after opening at 6-0.

Indiana Pacers 96, Atlanta Hawks 84: Danny Granger scored 24 points, and the Pacers improved to 4-0 at home after clipping the Hawks.

Sacramento Kings 98, Toronto Raptors 91: Tyreke Evans scored a season-high 29 points, while DeMarcus Cousins had 21 points with a career-high 19 rebounds, leading the Kings to their first road win of the season.

Denver Nuggets 123, New Jersey Nets 115: Danilo Gallinari scored 22 points, Arron Afflalo and Corey Brewer added 19 apiece as the Nuggets dropped the Nets to 0-5 on the road this season.