Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) smiles while fans cheer after hitting a 3-pointer during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. AP
BOSTON, Massachusetts—The Celtics don’t want to rely solely on Isaiah Thomas to win.
But on some nights, putting the ball in the All-Star guard’s hands is simply the best option.
Thomas scored 22 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter in Boston’s 90-83 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
He scored 20 of Boston’s final 24 points to help the Celtics beat back a late Mavericks’ surge.
Avery Bradley added 18 points and 13 rebounds.
After the Mavericks took a 70-66 lead, Thomas scored Boston’s next 13 points to put the Celtics back in front 79-76. They never trailed again.
After one of the baskets late in the run Thomas ran down the court and flashed two thumbs up.
“I guess I just like that quarter,” Thomas said. “Sometimes guys get a little tighter, and then the pressure gets a little tougher for them. I guess I like the pressure.”
Harrison Barnes led the Mavericks with 28 points. Wesley Matthews added 22.
Dallas, which was already missing several players because of injuries, lost two more. Starter Deron Williams exited in the second quarter with a left calf injury, and J.J. Barea was helped off the court in the fourth quarter after straining his left calf as well.
Coach Rick Carlisle said it appears Barea will “be out for a while”, but added that he didn’t think it was real serious. He said it’s his understanding that Williams just experienced some tightness.
The Celtics outrebounded Dallas 53-32, which coach Brad Stevens said is a welcomed sign for a team that struggled in that department early in the season.
“Maybe it’s the law of averages, and some just bounced our way,” Stevens said. “But we’re defending at a better rate than we were.”