Lakers at Mavericks
THE STORY: After an easy 103-92 victory over Portland on Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers got together for a players-only meeting, emphasizing that they must only worry about their jobs and not off-court distractions. The Lakers, just 5-11 on the road, will try to head into the All-Star break with momentum, playing a tough back-to-back at Dallas on Wednesday and at Oklahoma City on Thursday. “I think we just have to go (on the road) and play with confidence and get rest,” center Andrew Bynum said. “We get rest, we're good.” Dallas already has momentum, winning seven of eight after beating Boston 89-73 on Monday.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE LAKERS (19-13): Backup guard Steve Blake had his best game of the season against Portland, scoring 17 points and making five of six 3-pointers. “The way that Steve Blake shot the ball tonight, he was extremely efficient,” Lakers coach Mike Brown said. “If those guys can continue doing that and running the team and then defending the way they did tonight, that's all we need from our point guard spot.” In his last five games against Dallas, NBA leading scorer Kobe Bryant has missed all 16 of his 3-point attempts.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (21-12): Much has been made about Pau Gasol possibly being traded by the Lakers, but don’t look for the Mavericks to do the same with Lamar Odom. Yes, Odom was acquired in a trade before the season, but has largely been a disappointment. He averages 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds, about half of his career averages. Dallas seeks its fifth consecutive home victory and has limited its last four home opponents to 85.8 points per game and 38.9 percent shooting.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Lakers have won 11 of the last 14 regular-season meetings with the Mavericks, including three in a row.
2. Dallas guard Jason Terry has averaged 24 points in the last five home games against the Lakers.
3. In a 73-70 victory Jan. 16, the Lakers held the Mavericks to their lowest scoring game in series history.