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 Center Tyson Chandler recorded 20 points to lead seven Dallas
players who scored in double figures, and the Mavericks coasted past
the Lakers 120-106 at Staples Center.
Forwards Richard Jefferson and Dirk Nowitzki had 17 and 16 points,
respectively, for the Mavericks (49-31). Forward Al-Farouq Amini
contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Chandler grabbed nine
rebounds. Point guard Rajon Rondo finished with 11 points, 11
assists and eight rebounds.
The Mavericks now have their immediate sights on winning 50 games,
something they can accomplish Monday night at Utah against the Jazz
or Wednesday at home in their regular-season finale against the
Portland Trail Blazers.
"It would be good. It's always good to win 50 games in a successful
season," said Chandler, who hit nine of 10 shots from the floor. "We
want to be playing great basketball going into the playoffs."
Chandler's play is one of the reasons the Mavericks are thriving.
"He one of the real big-time difference-makers in this league,"
Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "When he is healthy, there are very
few guys that are better at what he does, if any. It's great to see
him moving the way he is right now, and we have to take this good
health mojo that we have and try to carry it into Wednesday night
when we're home and finish the season out the right way."
Dallas, which has the No. 7 seed locked up for the Western
Conference playoffs, defeated the Lakers for the seventh consecutive
game, including the past three at Staples, and swept the season
series for the second year in a row.
Point guard Jordan Clarkson had 26 points and six assists to pace
the Lakers (21-59). Center Tarik Black scored 10 points and pulled
down a career-high 19 rebounds for Los Angeles, which fell for the
sixth time in seven games.
"I don't think it was that good of a night for me," Clarkson said.
"I had four turnovers. It was tough, but it was a good team we
played against. They moved the ball well and they made shots."
The Mavericks led 62-57 at the break thanks to a 32-20 edge over the
Lakers on points in the paint and a 15-2 advantage on fastbreak
points. Dallas also outshot Los Angeles 50 percent to 45.5 percent
in the first half.
Overall, the Mavericks hit 54.2 percent of their shots to 43.6
percent for the Lakers. Dallas wound up with a 54-38 margin on
inside scoring, and it produced 19 fastbreak points to the Lakers'
11.
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An 8-2 run to open the third pushed the margin to 70-59 after a dunk
by Chandler less than four minutes into the quarter. Dallas
increased the gap to 85-71 after a dunk by Aminu with 3:25
remaining, but the Lakers rallied. An 11-2 run cut the deficit to
87-82 before a layup by guard J.J. Barea gave the Mavericks a
seven-point cushion heading into the final period.
Los Angeles never got any closer in the fourth quarter as the
Mavericks pulled away.
"Against a very good basketball team, we played some good,
hard-nosed basketball," Lakers coach Byron Scott said. "We hung in
there. They're a very high-powered offensive team."
Lakers forward Wesley Johnson scored 16 first-half points on 6-of-9
shooting, making four of five from 3-point range, but he didn't
return after intermission due to a moderate sprain of his left
ankle. X-rays were negative.
Dallas forward Chandler Parsons missed his fourth consecutive game
because of a right knee injury.
NOTES: Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said PG Rajon Rondo's postseason
experience will be a huge benefit to his club. "I like what he's
done and how he's adjusted. And I like how our team has adjusted to
his abilities," Carlisle said. ... PG Jeremy Lin is done for the
season and could have played his last game in a Lakers uniform. Lin
missed the previous three games with a sore left knee, and coach
Byron Scott said Sunday that Lin, who will be a free agent at the
end of the season, wouldn't play in the club's final two contests.
... G Dwight Buycks fractured his right hand in the second half,
leaving the Lakers with only two healthy guards. ... The Lakers
visit Sacramento on Monday before capping their campaign Wednesday
against the Kings at Staples Center.
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