DALLAS, TX – The Dallas Mavericks (32-30) lost to the L.A. Lakers (29-32) 111-108 in American Airlines Center on Sunday afternoon after blowing a 27-point lead. NBA teams this season are 138-0 when winning by 27 points or more… make that 138-1 after today’s matchup.
This was their second game back from the All-Star break and it looked like the break did them good. The Mavericks jumped ahead of the Lakers quickly, taking a 20-point lead with nine minutes left in the second quarter. The energy was obviously apparent from all players, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving had 26 points combined to end the first half and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 14 off the bench.
Dallas shot 47 percent from the floor and 52 percent from beyond the arc, making 12 three-pointers in the first half. It looked like not a single Mavs player could miss. The Lakers made a little bit of a run at the end of the half making it a 14-point game going into the third quarter.
Los Angeles struggled from downtown in the first half only making 3-of-21 for a whopping 14 percent. LeBron James led the half for the Lakers with 12 points.
Mavs took a 61-47 lead entering the third quarter.
The Lakers made a comeback in the fourth quarter out scoring Dallas 31-20 making it a three-point game entering the fourth quarter. Mavs held on barely with a 81-78 lead. Entering the fourth quarter Dallas had 36 points off the bench, Hardaway Jr. leading with 17. Mavs were holding their own on the defensive side of things and boards but had 15 turnovers.
Los Angeles took their first lead of the game since the first three minutes of the game 87-86 with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. Dallas had a 27 point lead at one point in this game and NBA teams this season are 0-123 this season when trailing by 27 or more points.
The fourth quarter was back and forth the entire game but the Lakers held their own and took the contest.
Head Coach Jason Kidd told us after the game that his team needs to mature physically and mentally if they want to win a championship. He said his team is young and no young team has won a championship.
Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 26 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
Kyrie Irving added 21 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
Tim Hardaway Jr. added 17 points off the bench.
Mavs shot 41 percent from the floor and 40 percent from downtown making 20 three-pointers on the night.
Dallas will be back in AAC on Tuesday to play the Pacers. Tip off is at 7:30 PM.
