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Saturday, Mar. 18 8:00pm ET
Boston trails Bucks, Magic by a game | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
DALLAS (AP) -- Antoine Walker is carrying the Boston Celtics on a late push for a playoff berth that once seemed out of the question. Walker scored 29 points, 20 in the second half, and Boston gained ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race with a 104-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. Eric Williams added 18 points off the bench and Paul Pierce scored 15 for the Celtics, who moved within a game of Milwaukee and Orlando, who are tied for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Walker has averaged 27.8 points over his last five games. Boston has won three in a row and seven of its last eight. "We're fighting for a playoff spot and guys are stepping up to another level," said Walker, who added 10 rebounds, six assists and went 10-for-15 from the field, including 4-for-7 from 3-point range. "I'm trying to do whatever it takes. We're starting to smell the playoffs. It's out there for us. That's been our goal all along." In the fourth quarter, Walker pulled down six rebounds and missed only one of five shots while Pierce was scoring eight points. "The play of Antoine Walker is a big factor," said Boston coach Rick Pitino. "He's also passing the ball extremely well. The players know that if they pass him the ball, they're going to get it back. This is the best we've played all year long." Michael Finley's 28 points, rookie Greg Buckner's career-high 25 and Dirk Nowitzki's 21 points and 11 rebounds paced the Mavericks, who had their three-game winning streak snapped. The Celtics led by as many as 11 in the fourth quarter before the Mavericks made a late charge, using a 12-3 run capped by Buckner's 3-pointer with 9.8 seconds left to reduce the deficit to 101-99. But Pierce converted two free throws with 8.3 seconds left for a 103-99 advantage, then Buckner missed a layup with four seconds remaining. "Walker and Pierce made big plays and that's what guys who want to be superstars in this league do, make plays with the game on the line," Buckner said. Boston opened the third quarter with a 14-4 run capped by Walker's layup for a 63-51 lead. Walker's 3-pointer with 4:03 left in the quarter expanded the Celtics' advantage to 76-62. The Celtics were in front 80-72 entering the fourth quarter, but the Mavericks cut the deficit to 82-79 on Finley's 3-pointer with 10:21 left. Boston then went on an 8-2 run capped by consecutive baskets from Walker for a 90-81 edge with 7:36 remaining. "It's pretty simple," said Mavericks coach Don Nelson. "We played a hot team tonight. I thought they played extremely well. It wasn't a letdown on our part." Game notesMavericks owner-to-be Mark Cuban said he has no interest in signing guard Isaiah Rider, who was waived by Atlanta on Friday. Cuban recently released controversial forward Dennis Rodman following a 12-game tryout, and Cuban said, "I learned that lesson.". ... Cuban is shopping for a team plane and has made a bid of $43 million on a 757 currently owned by the Republic of Argentina. ... Buckner got his first start as Dallas opened with four guards and Nowitzki. The Mavs used their 26th different starting lineup this season. ... Boston is 23-8 when it takes a lead into the fourth quarter | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Boston Clubhouse Dallas Clubhouse RECAPS New Jersey 92 Milwaukee 90
Boston 104
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