Dirk Nowitzki Video: Watch Mavericks Star Bury Celtics with Game-Winning Basket

Dirk Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks may have gotten off to a slow start in the 2011-2012 season, but the reigning NBA Finals MVP may have just given his team the spark they needed on the road against the Boston Celtics.

In a matchup featuring two teams with aging rosters and slow starts, it was a defensive battle. Yet the Celtics couldn’t get the key stop when they needed it most.

With 11 seconds remaining and the score tied at 85, the German Mongoose caught the ball and squared up on former Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Garnett.

With Garnett face-guarding him, in one motion Dirk switched the ball from his left to right hand and took one giant step past KG. With Garnett on his side, Dirk lunges towards the basket with a wide-open lane.

Brandon Bass is late on the help and Dirk gets mauled, but still makes the basket.

The basket counts…and the foul!! (Marv Albert voice.)

Dirk added the freebie and the game was all but over. Nowtizki finished the game with 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

After a three-game losing streak to start their championship defense, the Mavs have now won three in a row. At 6-5, the Mavs are over .500 for the first time in the young season. With home games against the Bucks and Kings on deck, the Mavs are in great shape.

As for the Celtics…a major shakeup is in order.

At 4-5, Boston has yet to beat a single team that isn’t in last place in the Eastern Conference. Wins against the Pistons, Wizards (x2) and Nets are not impressive.

This is the kind of shot that can rejuvenate a team and bury one at the same time.

Dirk does it again.