Dante's three-point inferno helps bury Celtics

• Dante Exum shoots 4-from-6 from three-point land in seven-point win
• Jock Landale's perfect night for Houston Rockets
• Patty Mills and Johnny Furphy both DNP-coach's decision

Dante Exum's Dallas Mavericks went into the TD Garden on Friday, February 7, 2025 and stunned the NBA champion Boston Celtics 127-120 (Game Centre) in a ball game that only close when it was over.

Klay Thompson turned back the clock with a vintage performance, pouring in 25 points to lead the Mavericks to victory against one of the Eastern Conference's top teams.

Exum has returned from injury in great shape and is already rolling. He started against the Celtics, played 20 minutes and was an incredible +29 in his minutes.

The 29-year-old Boomers guard shot 4-from-6 from downtown, finished 5-from-8 from the field for 15 points. He added five assists.

The Mavericks set the tone early, jumping out to a 32-23 lead after the first quarter behind Thompson's hot shooting and Australian-born Kyrie Irving's playmaking. Dallas continued to build their advantage throughout the game, leading by as many as 21 points in the third quarter. While Boston mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback, cutting the lead to single digits in the final minutes, the Mavericks held on for the impressive road win.

Dallas's balanced attack proved too much for the Celtics to handle. In addition to Thompson's 25 points, Spencer Dinwiddie added 22 off the bench and Irving chipped in 19 points to go along with four steals. The Mavericks' ball movement was crisp all night, as they racked up 32 assists as a team compared to just eight turnovers.

For Boston, Jaylen Brown led the way with 25 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Mavericks' offensive onslaught. The loss dropped the Celtics to 36-16 on the season, though they still maintain a comfortable lead atop the Eastern Conference standings.

The stat sheet highlighted Dallas's efficient offense as the key to victory. The Mavericks shot a blistering 55.7% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range, compared to 51.7% and 43.2% respectively for Boston. Dallas also won the turnover battle decisively, committing just 8 turnovers to Boston's 14.

Thompson's performance stood out as particularly impressive given his recent struggles. The 34-year-old sharpshooter, acquired by Dallas at the trade deadline, had been averaging just 15 points per game on 41% shooting with his new team. But against Boston, Thompson looked like the player who helped lead Golden State to multiple championships, knocking down 11-from-17 shots including 3-from-6 from deep.

Houston Rockets @ Minnesota Timberwolves

Australian centre Jock Landale was back in the rotation and contributed big time despite the Rockets falling 127-114 to the Timberwolves at the Target Centre in Minneapolis.

Landale, 29, clocked 14 minutes and was perfect from the floor, going 4-from-4 from the field including a three, as well as 1-of-1 from the free throw line to finish with 14 points, five rebounds, and an assist.

Landale just needs minutes. He got an opportunity with Steven Adams not in the line-up.

Sacramento Kings @ Portland Trail Blazers

Australian centre Duop Reath was another DNP-coach's decision as the Blazers rolled the Sacramento Kings 108-102 at the Moda Center in Portland.

It's Reath 24th DNP of the season in Portland's 52 contests. Reath was listed as inactive for one of those games.

Australian Boomers forward Matisse Thybulle is still out injured, making his way back from an ankle issue. He hasn't played this season.

Indiana Pacers @ Los Angeles Clippers

Australians Patty Mills and rookie Johnny Furphy were both DNP-coach's decision as the Clippers lost to the visiting Pacers 119-112 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Los Angeles.

Mills was traded to the Clippers by the Utah Jazz on February 2, 2025.