DALLAS - Jim O'Brien might want to consider polling his players at the start of the fourth quarter. It'd certainly help if he could figure out which Celtics plan on showing up for the final period.

The C's are now 3-3 on their Western odyssey, and the difference between victory and defeat is reflected in the fourth-quarter numbers.

In victories at Denver, Portland and Los Angeles (vs. the Lakers), the Celtics scored 33, 40 and 32 points, respectively. In losses at Golden State, Seattle and here Thursday night, they scored, in order, 11, 15 and 14 points.

``It's a puzzle to me,'' said Kenny Anderson. ``Sometimes when it's late, we play our game and move the ball and play smart. Sometimes we just don't and I have no idea why. We've got to hold leads. We've got to be able to close the door.''