Los Angeles Lakers Beat Dallas Mavericks 124-104
The Los Angeles Lakers welcomed the Dallas Mavericks to Crypto.com Arena on Thursday. The Lakers beat the Mavericks 124-104 in regulation. Los Angeles improved to 33-21, while Dallas fell to 19-35 and a nine-game losing skid.
In Case You Missed It
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 136-108 blowout to the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night. Luke Kennard led Los Angeles with 14 points, two rebounds, and five assists. Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 40 points, 12 rebounds and two assists.
The Spurs’ comeback sparked their sixth straight win entering the NBA All-Star Weekend. Five Spurs players scored in double-figures. De’Aaron Fox topped the list with 27 points. Wembanyama, 22, trailed with 26 points. Keldon Johnson added 21 points. Dylan Harper tallied 14 points. Harrison Barnes had 10 points.
The Dallas Mavericks fell the Phoenix Suns 120-111 at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday night. Naji Marshall led the Mavericks with 31 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 23 points, four rebounds and one assist.
Marshall, 28, recorded his fifth 25-point outing of the season (ninth in his career), setting a new career-high for most 25-point games in a single season. All nine of the 25-point efforts came in his last two seasons with the Mavs, after failing to score 25 in four seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Seven Suns players scored in double-figures. Brooks, 30, topped the list with 23 points. Devin Booker trailed with 19 points. Mark Williams added 13 points. Jalen Green, Royce O’Neale, and Ryan Dunn tallied 12 points apiece. Oso Ighodaro had 10 points.
Dunn, 23, has been finding his rhythm from three-point range. He has been shooting 54.5% from three in February.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks Starters
Los Angeles entered Thursday night’s game with a 2-0 lead in the season series. Beginning with Los Angeles’ come-from-behind win, 116-110, at Dallas on January 24, the Mavs have lost eight straight games. L.A.’s chances increased with Cooper Flagg’s absence.
Los Angeles’ starting lineup featured Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Jaxson Hayes, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart. Los Angeles ruled out Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Deandre Ayton (knee).
Dallas’ starting lineup featured Brandon Williams, Max Christie, Naji Marshall, PJ Washington Jr., and Daniel Gafford. Dallas ruled out Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Kyrie Irving (knee), Cooper Flagg (foot) and Caleb Martin (left ankle sprain).
Lakers vs. Mavericks Recap
The budding rivalry between Los Angeles and Dallas has gained national attention in recent years, especially after the NBA’s introduction of “Rivalry Week.”
Los Angeles sported their “Statement Edition”jerseys. L.A. went on a red-hot 14-4 run to open the first quarter. Dallas picked up the pace to tie the game at 18. Dallas took a 24-23 lead but pulled away. L.A. scored the final six points to take a 36-31 lead to end the first.
Dallas opened the second-quarter scoring. Max Christie shined with a sequence of three-pointers, but Dallas’ turnover issue stayed put. Los Angeles built its biggest lead of the game, a 55-43 advantage, with five minutes remaining. Dallas went on a 12-0 run but fell short. L.A. took a 64-63 lead into halftime.
Dallas looked to set the tone in the third quarter but pulled away in the final minutes. Los Angeles took a 96-82 lead through three quarters.
Los Angeles opened the fourth-quarter scoring. L.A. reached the 100-point plateau within the first three minutes of the fourth quarter. Dallas reached the 100-point plateau within the final three minutes of the said quarter. L.A. won 124-104 in regulation.
Luck wasn’t on Dallas’ side as the road team saw two injuries on Thursday night. Naji Marshall suffered a left foot strain, while Daniel Gafford sustained right ankle soreness. Neither Marshall, 28, nor Gafford, 27, returned to the game.
Next Steps
The Lakers continue the homestand against their crosstown rival, the Los Angeles Clippers, next Friday night at 7 p.m. Pacific. The former’s three-pointers, offense, and defense can keep the Clippers at bay for a potential win.
The Mavericks continue the road trip against the Minnesota Timberwolves next Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Central. The Mavericks’ offense, consistency, and star players can keep the Timberwolves at bay for a potential win.
