Mavs roll over for Lakers

The Dallas Mavericks were humiliated by the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday night at the Staples Center.  Things got heated during the 110-82 blowout, leading to 5 players being ejected and at least 2 fans removed from the arena.  The Maverick’s 5 game winning streak came to an end as the Lakers won their 8th straight.

Dirk Nowitzki had a double-double, with 27 points and 13 rebounds.  He was the only Maverick to show any offensive firepower.  The Mavs shot just 36.1% from the field.

Peja Stojakovic added 13 points for Dallas and Jose Barea had 10.  By contrast, 5 Laker players finished in double figures, led by Kobe Bryant with a game-high 28 points.

In the 4th period, Jason Terry shoved Lakers guard Steve Blake out of bounds as he was driving to the basket.  Laker Matt Barnes then shoved Terry, causing Dallas assistant coach Terry Stotts to attempt to restrain Barnes.  When Stotts was shoved into a courtside spectator, Mavs center Brenden Haywood got in on the action.  All 4 players were ejected, followed later in the game by Lakers guard Shannon Brown, who got into an altercation with Mavs forward Brian Cardinal.

“It’s a good check. We have to grow up,” said Mavericks center Tyson Chandler. “If we are going to get to where we want to go, we are going to have nights like this, and we are going to have to step up to the challenge.”

The Mavericks continue their California swing Saturday at Golden State.