Mavs stop Bryant and Lakers
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The Dallas Mavericks emphatically ended a six-game losing streak with a 109-100 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday in Texas.
Jason Terry and Shawn Marion came off the bench to score 22 points apiece, while Jason Kidd had a season-high 21 points and 10 assists as the Mavericks used a potent third quarter to end their slide.
Dallas (27-14) trailed the two-time defending champions by eight midway through the third but closed the period on a 28-11 run to take control and never look back.
Kidd scored 13 points during the critical stretch, including a trio of three-pointers.
"I came in this league (as not the best shooter), so right now I'm going through a little shooting mentality. Tonight the ball was going in," Kidd said.
Pau Gasol scored a team-high 23 points and Kobe Bryant added 21 and 10 assists, but the Lakers (31-13) lost for the second time in three games.
Los Angeles led for most of the contest before being blitzed in the third and falling behind by as much as 16 in the fourth.
"It was a lack of defense," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "They had so many open shots and they started making them."
Lamar Odom recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort for Los Angeles.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 14 points in his third game back from a knee injury that sidelined him for nine contests.
Elsewhere in a busy night of NBA action, it was: Nuggets 112, Thunder 107; Spurs 104, Raptors 95; Celtics 86, Pistons 82; Hornets 103, Grizzlies 102 (OT); Magic 99, 76ers 98 (OT); Rockets 104, Knicks 89; Nets 103, Jazz 95; Warriors 110, Pacers 108; Trail Blazers 94, Kings 90 (OT); Suns 106, Cavaliers 98; Bucks 100, Wizards 87; and Clippers 126, Timberwolves 111.
In Boston, Ray Allen hit a shot with 25 seconds left to give Boston its first lead of the second half versus Detroit.
Paul Pierce scored 22 points for the Celtics, who won their fourth straight.
Rodney Stuckey scored 15 points for the Pistons.
In New Orleans, Marcus Thornton broke up an inbounds pass with 14 seconds left in overtime and then finished a fast break with a reverse layup, giving New Orleans a thrilling home win over Memphis, extending its winning streak to six.
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