Final: Celtics 97, Mavericks 90

Kyrie Irving had his way with the Mavericks for the second time in the last month on Wednesday night at the TD Garden. The All-Star guard scored nine of his game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter, which propelled the hosts to a 97-90 win over the Mavs.

Jayson Tatum added a double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) and Al Horford flirted with a triple-double yet again (17 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) as the hosts overcame the absences of Jaylen Brown (swollen eye) and Marcus Morris (sore knee).

Boston trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half, but the C's bared down defensively and limited the Mavs to just 34 points after intermission for their seventh double-digit comeback of the year.

Third quarter notes 

• The Celtics erased a 12-point lead in the first four minutes of the quarter with some red-hot shooting from Jayson Tatum and Al Horford.


• The defensive intensity picked up in a big way for the hosts in the frame as well, as they limited the Mavs to jut 38 percent shooting, and 0-of-4 from 3-point range after they hit five 3s in the second quarter.


• Celtics didn't have a foul called on them in the frame until the final minute of the quarter. Dallas shot zero free throws, which led to a 16-point quarter for Dallas.


• Horford finished the frame with 10 points in 12 minutes, while Tatum added seven.

• Celtics had an ugly start to the second quarter with the all bench unit (plus Smart) but the C's had some frantic life built into their play when inserting Guerschon Yabusele and Abdel Nader into the fold. Both players hit a 3, while Shane Larkin added a couple to keep the C's close.


• The Mavs managed to get some separation though later in the frame by roasting the C's in transition and with their passing in the halfcourt. The guards got the Mavs shooters open looks (they hit five 3s total in the quarter) which helped the visitors build a double-digit lead.


• The best big on the floor tonight has continued to be Kleber. He's been a force on the defensive end with three blocks and has added a couple finishes at the rim and a 3-pointer as well.


• Ugly performance from Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier so far on a night the C's need both. They are a combined 0-of-6 from the field. Smart also has three turnovers.

• Another unknown German big man (Kleber) is giving the Celtics all kinds of problems early, with a block, steal and a couple of nice finishes. He outquicked Aron Baynes on a couple of plays and that led to an early hook for Aron Baynes with the starters.


• Kyrie Irving still loves playing against the Mavs. He scored 47 in their first matchup this year and has feasted early on Dennis Smith Jr. and Yogi Ferrell.


• Stevens was not happy with the C’s energy out of the gate and called a timeout just two minutes in. C’s responded with an 11-3 run.


• Quick hook for Daniel Theis as well after an ugly turnover during the C’s halfcourt set once the Mavs went small.


• Double techs for Irving and Dennis Smith Jr. after Irving gave the rookie guard a little elbow after a foul and Smith got fired up about it.


• Lots of fouls early on both ends. Two teams combined for 13 fouls in the opening quarter alone.
  Some ugly minutes from the all bench unit at the end of the quarter. Team really has really nowhere to go offensively with Larkin/Rozier/Smart/Ojeleye/Theis out there.

• The Celtics will be without Marcus Morris who is dealing with soreness his left knee. Brad Stevens told Zolak and Bertrand on Wednesday that the team is just being cautious with the veteran forward and he's expected to return later this week. "Marcus Morris, most days after the game he’s got some soreness," Stevens said. "Most of the time that is gone by the time the 36-hour mark hits. Today he was still a little bit sore so we thought it would be best to sit out tonight as we prepare for quite a stretch of games coming up."


• Jaylen Brown was a late scratch due to an inflammed eye. Marcus Smart will start in his place at shooting guard. Brown isn't expected to miss additional time according to Brad Stevens: "Jaylen, when he woke up, one of his eyes, he couldn’t open it," Stevens said.  "Swollen. Just sounds like an inflamed cornea. Probably from a contact. So anybody that’s worn a contact, I know I have, has probably been there. He’s hurting but it should be hopefully better by late tonight, early tomorrow."


• The Mavericks may have the worst record in the Western Conference, but they are playing like an above-average team of late. Ever since dropping an overtime thriller to the Celtics a couple weeks ago, they've won four of their last six games. They've also made incredible strides in both offensive and defensive efficiency over that stretch, which has helped them pull back towards the pack in the West.


• Despite the Mavs' resurgence, Massachusetts native Nerlens Noel has stayed stuck on the bench for Rick Carlisle. He hasn't played in the past four games (even during garbage time) and made headline last week for grabbing a hot dog during halftime.


• Northeastern product J.J. Barea has been the engine of the Mavs' offense over the last 10 games. He's averaging 12 points and 6.6 assists per game over that stretch as a sixth man coming off the bench, while shooting over 40 percent from 3-point range.