Rondo leads Mavs past Celtics in return to Boston

Rajon Rondo made a triumphant return to Boston. 

Rondo scored a season-high 29 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 119-101 victory over the Celtics in his first game back at the TD Garden since getting traded in December. He nailed a career-high five 3-pointers, while adding six rebounds and five assists. 

The point guard, greeted to a thunderous ovation during pregame intros, made his presence felt immediately, scoring the Mavericks' first 10 points and finishing with 15 on 6-of-6 shooting from the field in a dominating first quarter. 

Rondo, who began his NBA career with the Celtics in 2006, was then given a touching video tribute ahead of the second quarter. 

The pass-first guard clearly wanted to steal the show, and he did just that. Rondo jacked up a season-high 19 shots in 35 minutes and guided the Mavericks to their fourth consecutive victory. 

"It was emotionally and physically draining day for me," Rondo said after the win. "I stayed an hour after shootaround this morning shooting today to get ready for tonight."

Boston selected Rondo out of the University of Kentucky with the 21st pick in the first round of the 2006 draft. He was named to four All-Star Games as a member of the Celtics and helped the organization win the 2008 NBA Finals - its first championship since 1986.