BOSTON _ For the second time in the last three weeks, the Mavericks were positioned perfectly to beat the team with the best record in the NBA.
The results were eerily similar _ and equally bad.
The Mavericks had a three-point lead after three quarters, and were neck and neck with Boston down the stretch until a dead spell offensively cost them as the Celtics pulled away for a 97-90 victory Wednesday night.
In the Celtics' November visit to Dallas, the Mavericks were up by 13 points in the fourth quarter, only to lose by eight in overtime.
This time, the Mavericks were up by 12 in the third quarter and had the game tied at 85 with 4:30 to go.
But the Mavericks gave up three consecutive layups to the Celtics, the last two by Kyrie Irving that included a three-point play. Meanwhile, the Mavericks were missing point-blank shots by Harrison Barnes and Dennis Smith Jr. as they fell behind 92-85.
The Mavericks went four consecutive possessions without a point, including two missed Dirk Nowitzki 3-pointers, and that was enough to spring the Celtics to their 22nd victory against just four losses.
The Mavericks fell to 7-18 as their modest two-game win streak ended.
It was a rugged offensive night for Smith, who made just 4 of 16 shots. Barnes had 19 points to lead the Mavericks.
The Celtics got 23 points from Irving, who had blistered the Mavericks for 47 last month in Dallas.
