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Mavs make a stop in Charlotte

Feb 5, 2011 - 4:05 PM (Sports Network) - The Dallas Mavericks just knocked off arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics, and will aim for their eighth straight win tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats in the finale of a three-game road trip at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Dallas handed the Celtics a 101-97 setback Friday night at TD Garden, as Jason Kidd made a three-pointer with 2.5 seconds remaining to keep the Mavs rolling. Kidd had 10 points and nine assists, while Dirk Nowitzki posted 29 points and Tyson Chandler muscled his way to 14 and 15 rebounds.

Jason Terry provided 17 points off the bench and Shawn Marion added 13 for the Mavericks, who shot 49 percent from the floor and won for the 16th time in 22 tries against Boston.

"Tight game, all the way, lot of back and forth," Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said. "Loved the way our guys battled, it comes down to a make or miss here or there, that's how close it was. Fortunately we were able to hang in and make plays. Kidd's shot was a huge shot, and we got key stops."

The Mavs are 15-7 away from home and have won three straight on the road. Nowitzki is averaging 25.3 ppg over his last four games. Kidd has scored in double figures in four of his last five contests, averaging 10.0 points and 9.0 assists over that span.

Dallas has netted more than 100 points in six straight games and is 24-1 when hitting the century mark in scoring.

Meanwhile, the Bobcats have lost three of their last four games and are coming off Friday's 109-97 setback versus the Miami Heat. Dwyane Wade recorded his first triple-double of the season with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Heat.

Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson both finished with 25 points for the Bobcats, who are 12-9 under head coach Paul Silas after going 9-19 with Larry Brown at the helm.

"Coming down the stretch we didn't have the mental toughness we needed," said Silas. "I keep saying it's not there right now, but I know it's gonna get there."

The Bobcats committed 15 turnovers for 31 Miami points and will also host Boston on the residency. They are 12-12 at home this season.

Dallas beat Charlotte, 101-86, back on Oct. 27 in Big D and has won all 13 meetings with the Bobcats, going 6-0 as the visitor.