The Los Angeles Lakers are in search of their ninth win in their last 10 games as they travel to Texas to battle the Dallas Mavericks in a nationally televised game on ESPN. After missing nine games with a sprained right knee, Dirk Nowitzki has played the last two games, but the Mavericks are reeling. Dallas, who started the season 24-6, has lost six straight and nine of their last 11 games.
Kobe Bryant has been moving up the NBA all-time scoring list this season, and while he probably won't pass Hakeem Olajuwon for eighth place tonight, it's not out of the question. Bryant, who began the season 12th place on the all-time scoring list, is now ninth, 72 points behind Olajuwon. Sure that seems like a lot, but then again, Kobe did score 62 on the Mavericks in three quarters once.
The Lakers have beaten the Mavericks in eight of their last 10 encounters. The Lakers are 14-7 on the road this season, while the Mavericks are 14-8 at home. Since Andrew Bynum returned to the starting lineup, the Lakers are 10-2.
For more information on tonight's game, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.