BOSTON (AP) — Dirk Nowitzki scored 16 points, driving past Kevin Garnett for the go-ahead layup with 5.1 seconds left and leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 90-85 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

Dallas led most of the game, but Paul Pierce hit a 3-pointer — just his second basket of the night — to tie it at 85 with 25 seconds to play. Former Celtic Delonte West dribbled the clock down to about 10 seconds before giving it to Nowitzki. The NBA finals MVP cut to the basket past Garnett and picked up a foul from Brandon Bass while floating the ball into the basket. The Celtics had a chance to tie, but Rajon Rondo’s pass to Ray Allen behind the 3-point line was too low to handle and went out of bounds.

Rondo scored 24 points for Boston and Garnett had 16 points with 10 rebounds. The Celtics have lost two straight since winning four in a row.

Brendan Haywood had eight points and 11 rebounds and reserve Jason Terry scored 18 points as Dallas won its third straight game to improve to 6-5. The Mavericks, who swept Boston last season en route to their first NBA title, have beaten the Celtics three games in a row.

Dallas dominated the first quarter and gave it back in the second, but coach Rick Carlisle’s ejection early in the third quarter seemed to turn things around. Carlisle was called for consecutive technicals just 1:26 into the second half when he ran down the sideline, over midcourt, to protest to the referee.