Dirk Nowitzki’s three-point play with 5.1 seconds left snapped a tie and lifted the Dallas Mavericks to a 90-85 victory over the host Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

Nowitzki drove for a basket and hit the ensuing free throw as Dallas (6-5) won its third consecutive contest to move above .500 for the first time this season.

Jason Terry scored a team-high 18 points, including the clinching layup in the final seconds after a Boston turnover. Nowitzki scored 16 points and Shawn Marion added 15.

Rajon Rondo scored 24 points and Kevin Garnett had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Boston (4-5), which lost its second straight game.

The Celtics tied the game at 85-85 on a 3-pointer by Paul Pierce with 25 seconds left.

Boston led 47-42 early in the second half when Ray Allen hit two technicals after the ejection of Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle.

Dallas responded with a 24-6 run over the next 8 1/2 minutes and took a 66-53 lead on Terry’s 3-pointer with two minutes left in the quarter. The Mavericks led by nine entering the final quarter.

Dallas led by as many as 10 in the first half but held only a 42-41 advantage at halftime.