Lakers vs. Mavericks: Los Angeles drops opener 99-91, falls to 0-1

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Lakers vs. Mavericks score: Lakers trail by 8 heading into 4th quarter

After getting off to a quick start in the first quarter, the Lakers have struggled since against the Mavericks and trail 74-66 after the third quarter of Tuesday's game.

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol have led the way for the Lakers, each with 18 points through three quarters. Bryant, playing despite foot and shoulder injuries, has made 9-of-11 shots although he is yet to attempt a free throw. Dwight Howard and Steve Nash have gotten off to somewhat slow starts in their Laker careers. Howard has 12 points and five rebounds, but scored just three points and didn't collect a rebound in the third quarter. Nash missed all three of his shot attempts in the third quarter and has five points and three assists thus far.

The Mavericks outscored the Lakers 26-20 in the third quarter increasing their lead to as many as 10 points. Darren Collison has been strong in his Mavericks debut, including six points and two assists in the third quarter. Collison leads Dallas with 16 points.

The Lakers have struggled from three-point range, making just 2-of-9 shots.

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Lakers vs. Mavericks score: L.A. trails Dallas, 48-46, at halftime

The Dallas Mavericks used a strong second quarter to take a 48-46 halftime lead over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant are both in double figures for the Lakers at halftime. Gasol made 4-of-9 shots in the first half and leads the Lakers with 12 points. Bryant was efficient in the first half, making 5-of-6 shots on his way to 10 points. Dwight Howard is on his way to a double-double in his Laker debut, finishing the first half with nine points and five rebounds. Steve Nash scored five points while dishing out two assists.

Darren Collison led the Mavericks in the first half, scoring 10 points. Dallas stayed in the game thanks in large part to a strong performance from its bench. The Mavericks bench, led by Jae Crowder and Rodrigue Beaubois, scored 22 of the Mavericks' 48 first half points.

The Lakers struggled from the free throw line in the first half, making just 6-of-14 attempts.

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Lakers vs. Mavericks score: Lakers lead 29-25 after the 1st quarter

The Los Angeles Lakers got off to a fast start in their season opener, taking a 29-25 lead against the Dallas Mavericks.

Kobe Bryant started the game for the Lakers despite a foot injury and scored six first quarter points on 3-of-4 shooting. Steve Nash and Dwight Howard got off to good starts in their Lakers debut. Nash made both of his first quarter shots and finished with five points, one assist and one rebound. Howard led the Lakers with seven first quarter points and also added three rebounds. Howard did pick up two early fouls though.

O.J. Mayo led the way for the Mavericks in the first quarter, making 3-of-4 shots and leading the Mavericks with eight points. Mayo also added two assists. Darren Collison also got off to a strong start in his debut with the Mavericks, scoring six points in the first quarter.

The Lakers did a good job of sharing the ball early, recording 10 assists on 13 made baskets. The Lakers closed the quarter strong, finishing with a 9-to-4 run.

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Kobe Bryant injury: Lakers guard will play vs. Mavericks

It's official: Kobe Bryant will be playing tonight for the Los Angeles Lakers in their season opener against the Dallas Mavericks. Bryant made the announcement on his Facebook page that he'd be ready to go for Tuesday night's game.

There were concerns that Bryant might not suit up due to an injured foot, but he was able to run in the morning and seemed fairly confident that he would play.

Bryant hurt his foot after stepping on the foot of a fellow Laker against the Sacramento Kings in the preseason, and sat out the rest of the team's exhibition games. Bryant will almost certainly suit up and start along with the incredible starting lineup of Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace and Dwight Howard. Both Nash and Howard will be making their first regular-season starts for the Lakers tonight.

Coverage of tonight's game between the Lakers and the Mavericks will begin on TNT at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time, 7:30 p.m. Pacific.

This story originally appeared on SBNation.com.

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Lakers vs. Mavericks probable starters: Kobe Bryant a game-time decision

The Los Angeles Lakers open their 2012-2013 NBA campaign full of the hope and excitement brought by the summer additions of center Dwight Howard and point guard Steve Nash. But the star power could take a hit in the season opener Tuesday with Kobe Bryant possibly unavailable with a foot injury.

"Obviously, you want Kobe on the floor," head coach Mike Brown told Trevor Wong of NBA.com. "You want everybody on the floor the whole time. But at the end of the day, this is why it’s a team. Other guys have to step up and be ready to play if he can’t go."

Dirk Nowitzki is already out for the Mavericks, recovering from offseason surgery on his right knee. With the caveat that Bryant is a game-time decision, here are the probable starters for Tuesday's nationally televised contest on TNT.

Mavericks

Point guard: Darren Collison

Shooting guard: O.J. Mayo

Small forward: Shawn Marion

Power forward: Elton Brand

Center: Eddy Curry

Lakers

Point guard: Steve Nash

Shooting guard: Kobe Bryant

Small forward: Metta World Peace

Power forward: Pau Gasol

Center: Dwight Howard