The Dallas Mavericks hope to bounce back this evening when they welcome the struggling Boston Celtics to the American Airlines Center.
Dallas became the latest victim of Linsanity on Sunday, as it saw its six-game winning streak come to an end with a 104-97 loss to the New York Knicks. The Mavericks were paced by Dirk Nowitzki's 34 points, while Shawn Marion added 14 points and Jason Terry had 13.
The Mavs led by as many as 12 in the third quarter and entered the final stanza with a three-point edge. The Knicks, fueled by Jeremy Lin, outscored the defending champs 32-22 in the final 12 minutes.
"I thought we had the game under control, and then the fourth quarter, that really got the crowd back into it," Nowitzki said.
The Mavs are home for the next three games. They are 12-5 in their building this season.
Boston, meanwhile, is struggling and lost its third straight game on Sunday, falling to the Detroit Pistons, 96-81.
Paul Pierce netted a game-high 18 points, Chris Wilcox scored 14 and Ray Allen had 13 in Boston's fifth loss in six games.
Rajon Rondo had 10 assists, but turned it over six times and shot just 1-for-6 from the field before getting ejected late in the third quarter for sharply flipping the ball at referee Sean Wright.
"We weren't playing well at that point (Rondo's ejection), but we were certainly in a position where we could have won," Allen said.
Kevin Garnett missed the game because of personal reasons and his status for tonight's affair is not known. Brandon Bass will also miss the game because of a left knee injury.
Dallas beat the Celtics back on January 11 and has won the last three in the series. Boston has also lost eight of 11 and 12 of 16 in Dallas.
