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Mavericks Host Streaking Celtics

(Sports Network) - The streaking Boston Celtics resume a four-game road trip in Big D Monday night by squaring off with the Dallas Mavericks.

The Celtics opened their trek by winning their fifth straight game in Oklahoma City on Sunday. Ray Allen scored 19 points and Paul Pierce added 17 in that one, as Boston cruised to a 92-83 triumph.

Seven Celtics scored at least eight points, as opposed to six players accounting for all of Oklahoma City's production. Rajon Rondo, dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, ended with 10 points, 10 assists and five rebounds for Boston, which has won six of seven to start the season.

"I thought we did a good job to start the game off, and we've got to finish the game off more solidified," said Celtics forward Kevin Garnett. "But I'll take it."

Boston will also visit Miami and Memphis on its current trip.

The Mavs, meanwhile, opened a quick two-day homestand in losing fashion on Saturday when Chauncey Billups scored eight of his 18 points in Denver's dominant fourth quarter, which the Nuggets used to take a 103-92 win over Dallas.

Jason Terry and Dirk Nowitzki finished with 26 and 23 points, respectively, to pace the Mavericks, who were dealt their second loss of the season.

"The majority of the game, particularly in the fourth quarter...we just didn't play well enough tonight," said Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle. "We all own this loss, I own this just as much as anybody."

Caron Butler finished with 13 points and 10 boards for Dallas, while Shawn Marion had 12 and nine.

Boston, which will be attempting to start 7-1 or better for the fourth straight season, has won five of its past six games with the Mavs.

Photographs by jamesbrandon, jdtornow, phlezk, flygraphix, mcdlttx, tomasland, and literalbarrage used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.