Mavericks 93, Lakers 81
Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points and the Dallas Mavericks took a surprising 2-0 series lead with a 93-81 victory over the host Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday in the Western Conference semifinals.
Dallas frustrated Los Angeles' offense and held the two-time defending champion Lakers to 32 second-half points. Los Angeles was 2-for-20 from 3-point range.
Shawn Marion had 14 points and nine rebounds, J.J. Barea scored 12 points and Jason Kidd had 10 for the Mavericks.
Kobe Bryant scored 23 points, and Andrew Bynum had 18 points and 13 rebounds for Los Angeles, which missed its first 15 3-point attempts before Bryant connected with 2:43 remaining.
The Mavericks will try to take a 3-0 series lead Friday in Dallas.
Dallas pulled away with nine consecutive points in the fourth quarter after Derek Fisher’s basket pulled the Lakers within 75-69 with 7:07 left. Barea had two baskets and Kidd hit a 3-pointer during the run that gave Dallas a 15-point lead.
The Mavericks led 51-49 at halftime and held Los Angeles to 13 third-quarter points to take a six-point lead into the final period.
Paul Gasol added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers.