Lakers Survive Maverick Scare

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 107-100, their 53rd win of the season. The Lakers had a 15 point lead at one point in the third quarter, but saw it disappear and transform into a 95-89 deficit with 7:13 left in the fourth. The Dallas bench outscored LA's bench 53-12. The Mavs had 34 three-point attempts, making 13 of them, and shot .398 from the field. Kobe Bryant had 28 points and 8 rebounds, and Pau Gasol added 25 points and 8 rebounds. Trevor Ariza had a career-high 26 points as he adjusts to being in the starting five. Jason Terry led the Mavericks with 29 points, including 7 three-pointers, and Dirk Nowitzki added 20 points.