The Celtics connected on 21 shots from 3-point range and never trailed in a 114-93 victory over the Mavericks at the TD Garden on Friday night.

 BOSTON – The active roster consisted of only 11 players, including a call-up from the Maine Red Claws.

 The starting lineup was missing two of the three leading scorers, Kyrie Irving and Marcus Morris, who sustained injuries earlier this week.

 So the Celtics had a challenge on their hands on Friday night when they faced the Dallas Mavericks, a team they had lost to back in November.

 The Celtics responded in a positive manner, connecting on 21 shots from 3-point range and never trailing in a 114-93 victory over the Mavericks at the TD Garden.

 Jaylen Brown, making his first start since Nov. 24 with Morris sidelined, led the way with 21 points on 9 for 15 shooting and three steals while Jayson Tatum added 18 points, though he was just 7 for 21 and missed seven of 11 of his 3-pointers.

 Gordon Hayward had his second straight strong performance, just missing a triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists while Marcus Smart made five 3-pointers on the way to 17 points.

 Reserves Daniel Theis (13 rebounds, eight points) and Brad Wanamaker (eight points, four assists, three steals) also made valuable contributions.

 “We have some talented guys in this locker room,’’ said Tatum. “Guys are more than capable of playing big minutes when they get the opportunity.’’

 The Celtics jumped to a double-digit lead in the opening minutes, were ahead by as many as 17 points in the second quarter and had the advantaged chopped to one early in the third quarter.

 But the Celtics offense got back in gear right after that, and the Mavericks did not challenge the rest of the way.

 “For the most part, everybody was in a good rhythm and playing well together and seeking out the right shot,’’ said coach Brad Stevens, “and we’ve just got to keep doing that as much as possible.’’

 The Celtics went with a smaller lineup through the game, and the defensive pressure played a role in the Mavericks’ offensive struggles. Dallas was just 11 for 44 on 3-pointers and shot 39 percent overall with Harrison Barnes scoring 20 points.

 “The last two games we’ve really established ourselves,’’ said Brown of the defense. “Everybody’s on the same page.’’

 The Celtics used a 21-6 run during the third quarter to pull away from the Mavericks after they had gotten within a point early in the second half.

 The Celtics were cruising along in the second quarter, opening a 53-36 lead with 4:40 remaining in the half when Hayward and Smart hit back-to-back 3-pointers.

 But the Mavericks answered with a 21-5 run that extended into the opening minutes of the second half as the lead was chopped to 58-57.

 The Celtics missed 11 straight shots during a stretch of 6:14 and the Mavericks full advantage. Rookie Luka Doncic (19 points, nine rebounds) hit an incredible 3-pointer from in front of the Dallas bench to end the half and make it 58-51.

 After the Mavericks had climbed within a point, the Celtics got back-to-back 3-pointers from Al Horford and Terry Rozier, starting in Irving’s spot, for a 64-57 lead. Horford and Tatum hit consecutive 3-pointers later in the run to make it 79-63.

 Dallas missed 16 of 21 shots in the third quarter, which ended with the Celtics holding a 84-68 lead.

 The Celtics had jumped out to a 17-5 lead in the opening 4:54 with Tatum scoring eight of the points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers.

 After the Mavericks got within three points, the little-used Wanamaker came off the bench and provided a spark to end the first quarter as the Celtics went on an 8-0 run in the final minute.

 After a Hayward basket made it 33-28, Wanamaker hit a pair of 3-pointers with 37.6 and 3.9 seconds remaining for a 34-23 lead going into the second quarter.

 The game was probably the final one future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki will play at the Garden. At the age of 40, the player drafted in 1998 right before Paul Pierce is winding down his brilliant career.

 Nowitzki played 17 minutes off the bench and missed all 10 of his shots, including eight 3-pointers, to go scoreless. The Garden crowd was cheering in support of Nowitzki to hit at least one shot during the final minutes, but he was unable to connect, even when posting up Wanamaker.

 One more basket would have given Nowitzki the most points scored by a Western Conference player at the Garden, surpassing Kobe Bryant’s mark.

 “I’ve rooted for the opponent to score two times in my life: Paul Pierce and Dirk Nowitzki,’’ said Stevens. “I was sitting over there just like everyone else in the building saying, ‘Go in, go in.’ But what a special player and kudos to him.’’

 Said Hayward: “I thought that was awesome. Dirk has done so much for the game of basketball. Happy to see him still out there. He’s such a great player. I thought that was pretty cool. Wish he would have hit one.’’

 Nowitzki appreciated the warm reception he received upon entering the game, then the support that came as he tried to avoid a scoreless game.

 “It’s humbling, the reception here tonight not only from their players but the fans and staff and I really appreciate it,’’ he said. “I appreciate the fans of Boston and unfortunately I was really disappointed I couldn’t even make one.

 “I definitely will never forget the reception and at the end how they wanted me to break the record, so I appreciate it.’’

 Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.