Mavericks try to halt two-game losing streak against Celtics

It wasn’t too long ago that the Mavericks were owners of a franchise-best 17- game winning streak, but the club had that run ended on Monday by Golden State.

That loss came two days before Dallas was set to host Phoenix in a battle between the top two teams in the NBA. The matchup lived up to the hype and was eventually won by the Suns, 129-127, in double-overtime.

Phoenix had to rally from 16 points down to claim victory and snap the Mavericks’ 23-game home winning streak. Dallas held a seven-point lead going into the final minute of regulation, but couldn’t handle Steve Nash and Suns, as Phoenix forced an extra frame.

Jason Terry bailed the Mavericks out in the first overtime, as he hit a three- pointer with 4.9 ticks left to force a second overtime. Then, Dirk Nowitzki had a chance to force yet another frame, but his final shot hit off the front of the rim as the Suns held on.

Terry ended with 27 points and Nowitzki had 30 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. Jerry Stackhouse led Dallas with 33 points. The loss marked Dallas’ first two-game losing streak since starting the season 0-4.

Despite the setback, the Southwest Division-champion Mavericks still hold a 2 1/2-game edge over the Suns for the best mark in the league.

Dallas is a healthy 30-4 at home this season. The club will begin a six-game road trip on Sunday in Detroit.

If any team can help the Mavericks shake their losing ways, it is Boston. The Celtics have lost five in a row and 11 of the last 12 to Dallas overall. Boston’s last win over the Mavs came on December 17 of 2003.

The Celtics have also dropped six in a row and 10 of 11 as the visitor in the series.

Boston, though, has won six of its last nine games on the season, including a 109-88 rout of Atlanta on Wednesday. Al Jefferson scored 23 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the win.

Paul Pierce added 17 points for the Celtics, who snapped a two-game skid and won for just the ninth time at home this season. Rajon Rondo chipped in with 13 points and 10 assists, while Kendrick Perkins had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Boston begins a three-game road swing tonight and are 10-22 as the visitor this season. The club next travels to San Antonio and will also play the Hornets on the swing.