NBA: Boston 96, Dallas 90

BOSTON, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- James Posey made four free throws in the final 10 seconds Thursday in pushing the Boston Celtics to a 96-90 victory over Dallas.

In a match-up of two of the NBA's top teams, the lead changed hands 35 times before Boston finally took control in the closing moments.

Ray Allen and Paul Pierce both scored 26 points for the Celtics, who played for a third straight game without star forward Kevin Garnett (abdominal strain).

Boston won its second straight and downed Dallas for the first time in eight tries. The Mavericks, who are on a trip that will see them play all three of the division leaders in the Eastern Conference, had a four-game winning streak snapped.

Boston broke a 90-90 tie on a layup by Rajon Rondo with 33 seconds left and Dallas then missed three straight shots, including a tip-in attempt by Devean George.

Posey gave Boston a four-point lead with two free throws that came with 10 seconds left and he added two more with three seconds to go.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points and had 11 rebounds for Dallas.