Los Angeles Lakers Lose to Dallas Mavericks

Last night was the first post-season meeting of the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers since 1988. It was the first time that two of the NBA's biggest names in the last decade had ever gone head to head to see who would advance. Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant both stepped up and showed why they are two of the league's best but Nowitzki's team won 96-94 as Bryant missed the final shots.

As halftime got close it appeared as though the Lakers were going to pull ahead and put the game away. They finished the second quarter on a 14-2 run and a bizarre string of events at the end of the quarter gave them four free throws in the last 0.7 seconds. Jason Terry fouled Lamar Odom's last second heave from halfcourt and gave him three free throws. After the last shot was in the air Nowitzki elbowed Ron Artest in the back of the head for a technical foul and another Laker free throw that Bryant made.

Giving up seven points to start the second half it looked as though the Mavericks were all but finished. The 60-44 deficit quickly turned around thanks to a 20-6 run that brought the game to within a basket of the lead. Bryant again shone by scoring 12 straight points to keep the lead with the Lakers.

In the fourth quarter with the game still close Nowitzki hit two free throws to pt the Mavericks ahead for the first time in the second half. On the ensuing inbound pass Bryant tripped and fell while being guarded by Kidd with five seconds left. Kidd then made one free throw and Bryant missed a three at the buzzer that would have won the game for the Lakers.