Mavs Beat Lakers
The Dallas Mavericks came from behind to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks trailed 118-117 late in the fourth quarter, but closed the game on a 13-5 run en route to a 130-123 win.
Six players, including all five starters, scored in double figures for Dallas in the win: Dirk Nowitzki (22), Harrison Barnes (21), Dwight Powell (19), Dennis Smith Jr. (14), Wesley Matthews (13) and J.J. Barea (10). The Mavericks produced at least five double-digit scorers for the fifth straight game (34th time this season).
Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki posted a season-high (team-high) 22 points (8-11 FGs, 4-4 3FGs, 2-2 FTs) to go along with four rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes (previous high: 21 points at Portland 1/20). It marked his fourth 20-point effort of the season. He led Dallas in scoring for the sixth time this season (including ties).
Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games due to a left ankle sprain and tallied 21 points (6-9 FGs, 2-3 3FGs, 7-7 FTs), including 12 in the first quarter, to go along with six rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes. It was his 23rd 20-point effort of the season.
Mavericks big man Dwight Powell had 19 points (8-12 FGs, 3-4 FTs), a team-high seven rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes off the bench. He scored at least 17 points for the third time in his last four games. Powell is averaging 15.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game over his last four games (2/3-2/10). He is shooting 72.7 percent (24-of-33) from the field and 82.4 percent (14-of-17) from the foul line in that span.
Doug McDermott, was acquired by Dallas at the trade deadline on Thursday, made his Mavericks debut and recorded eight points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal in 21 minutes off the bench.
The Mavericks shot 53.9 percent (48-of-89) from the field en route to scoring a season-high 130 points (previous high: 128 at New Orleans 12/29).
Dallas native Julius Randle registered a game-high 26 points (10-14 FGs, 6-8 FTs) to go along with eight rebounds, a team-high seven assists and five turnovers before fouling out in 37 minutes. It marked his 10th 20-point outing of the season.
Isaiah Thomas, who was acquired by Los Angeles at the trade deadline on Thursday, made his Lakers debut and totaled 22 points (7-12 FGs, 4-8 3FGs, 4-4 FTs), including 11 in the second quarter, to go along with six assists and a game-high six turnovers in 31 minutes. It was his second-highest scoring game of the season (24 vs. Oklahoma City 1/20) and his third 20-point game of the year.
Brandon Ingram started at point guard for Los Angeles and produced 22 points (9-16 FGs, 4-5 3FGs), including 10 in the first quarter, to go along with three assists in 36 minutes. He notched his 14th 20-point game of the season.
Lakers rookie forward Kyle Kuzma collected his 11th double-double of the season with 12 points, a season-high 15 rebounds, three assists and two steals in 32 minutes off the bench.
The Lakers used a 9-0 run early in the second quarter to go up 45-36. The Mavericks were down 11 (53-42) midway through the second stanza, but the closed the period on a 23-13 run and trailed by only one (66-65) at the break.
Seth Curry (left leg surgery), Nerlens Noel (left thumb surgery) and Dorian Finney-Smith (left knee quadriceps tendinitis) all missed the game for Dallas due to injury. Lonzo Ball (sore left knee) did not play for the Lakers.
The attendance for the game was 20,162. The Mavericks have now sold out 666 consecutive regular-season home games, which is an NBA-best sellout streak. The streak began on 12/15/01 and Dallas has sold out an additional 67 playoff games during that same stretch.
The Mavericks’ next game is at Houston on Feb. 11 at 6:00 p.m. CT
