DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki led another balanced scoring effort with 19 points, and the Dallas Mavericks opened a franchise-record eight-game homestand by holding on for a 94-89 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night.

The Celtics trailed by double digits twice in the second half before getting within one in the final minute but couldn’t avoid an 0-15 finish on the road against the Western Conference.

The Mavericks followed their first win in more than two years over possible first-round playoff foe Oklahoma City by taking their third straight to get a season-high 14 games over .500.

Monta Ellis added 17 points for Dallas, and Devin Harris had 12.

Jerryd Bayless had 19 points and Kris Humphries matched a season high with 14 rebounds for the Celtics, who lost their fifth straight game and 12th in the past 15.

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