Mavericks vs. Lakers final score: Los Angeles opens its season with 99-91 loss

The Dallas Mavericks opened their season with a win, going on the road to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers, 99-91.

The Lakers got off to a good start, leading by as many as six points during the first quarter, but the final three quarters belonged to the Mavericks. Dallas outscored Los Angeles by six in the second quarter to take a two-point halftime lead. The Mavericks extended the lead in the third quarter and went up by as many as 16 points during the fourth quarter.

Dallas utilized a well-balanced offensive attack with six players scoring at least 10 points. New addition Darren Collison led the Mavericks with 17 points. The Mavericks' bench was also key, outscoring the Lakers' bench 37-17. Dallas shot well across the board, making 47.1 percent of its field goals and 33.3 percent of its three-point attempts.

Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Dwight Howard recorded a double-double in his Los Angeles debut, scoring 19 points with 10 rebounds before fouling out with just over two minutes to play. Howard struggled from the free throw line, making just 3-of-14 attempts. Steve Nash finished his Laker debut with just seven points and four assists.

Kobe Bryant played despite being questionable with foot and shoulder injuries. He scored 22 points on 11-of-14 shot attempts, but did not attempt a free throw or three-point attempt. Los Angeles struggled from three-point range, making just 3-of-13 shots.

Both teams will be back in action on Wednesday with the Lakers traveling to Portland to face the Trail Blazers and the Mavericks continuing their road trip against the Utah Jazz.

This story was originally published on SBNation.com.