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Mavericks 107, Lakers 95
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
LOS ANGELES — Forward Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists, leading the Dallas Mavericks to 107-95 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night at the Staples Center.
The Mavericks (46-31) won their fourth consecutive road game and stayed a half-game ahead of the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 7 spot in the Western Conference race. They also swept the season series with the Lakers (25-51) for the first time in franchise history.
Dallas got a boost off the bench from forward Brandan Wright, who finished with a season-high 23 points, two shy of his career-high 25 against the Philadelphia 76ers in March 2009. Wright hit all 10 of his shots from the field and three free throws.
Forward Shawn Marion added 15 points and eight rebounds for Dallas, and center Samuel Dalembert had 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Guard Jodie Meeks led the Lakers with 25 points. Guard Nick Young and forward Jordan Hill chipped in 14 points each. Hill also had 10 rebounds.
The Lakers took a 56-54 lead at intermission. Dallas pulled ahead for an 82-78 advantage at the end of the third quarter before shaking free of the Lakers in the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks, who were playing for the second consecutive night after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night, went on an 15-5 run to open the fourth quarter for a 97-83 lead after a turnover by Young led to a layup by guard Devin Harris with 7:02 remaining in the game.
Young suffered a mild right ankle sprain and did not play again.
Los Angeles failed to get any closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
Nowitzki hit two free throws in the third quarter to pass Dominique Wilkins for 11th on the NBA career scoring list.
Point guard Steve Nash returned for the Lakers after missing a game with nerve root irritation in his back. Nash finished with four points and seven assists in 19 minutes. He also had four turnovers.
NOTES: Injured Los Angeles C Pau Gasol, C-F Chris Kaman and G Xavier Henry missed the game. Gasol is recovering from vertigo and could be done for the season, and Kaman missed his second game with a sore right calf. Henry, who has a torn ligament in his left wrist and a nagging knee injury, is not expected to play again this season. … The Lakers started their 34th different lineup. … Dallas converted 28 of 59 (.475 percent) 3-pointers in the past two games entering Friday. Mavericks G Jose Calderon was shooting 53.3 percent (16 of 30) from behind the arc in the past five games before Friday. … Dallas caps its four-game road swing with visits to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. … The Lakers will be the visiting team when they face the Clippers on Sunday at the Staples Center.
