News / Sports
Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks Continue to Roll, Beat LA Lakers for 17th Straight
Dirk Nowitzki scored 19 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, Josh Howard added 24 points, 4 boards and 4 steals, and DeSagana Diop pulled down 13 off the glass as the Dallas Mavericks (52-9) crushed the Los Angeles Lakers (33-31) 108-72 to win their 17th straight.
The 36-point blowout was the worst home loss the Lakers have suffered since moving to L.A. in 1960. Los Angeles led the game 22-19 with 1:28 remaining in the first quarter but from that point on it was all Dallas.
Los Angeles managed just two field goals in the second quarter and Dallas finished the half on a 13-0 run to lead 59-35 at the break. After holding a 28-24 lead after one quarter the Mavs outscored the Lakers 31-11 in the second and sealed the game.
The third quarter didn’t bring the Lakers any relief as the Mavericks continued to hit open shots and extended their lead to 85-58 heading into the fourth.
Dallas had carried a 13 game winning streak into L.A. earlier this year and let a big lead go to waste but Sunday there was no chance of that happening. The Mavericks hit 48 percent from the floor, including 50 percent from beyond the three-point arc while the Lakers shot 36 percent, 12 percent from the three-point line.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 25 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.
