The Los Angeles Lakers used a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter to seize the lead and beat the Dallas Mavericks 96-91 on Wednesday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Lakers trailed 82-80 with 6:19 remaining, but then began their run which was capped by five points from Derek Fisher.
Fisher not only beat the Mavericks with a three-pointer in the final seconds at Staples Center in Los Angeles on January 16, but he tormented Dallas Wednesday with a season-high 15 points on six-of-eight shooting.
The Lakers had their lead cut to two points in the final minute, thanks to missing six straight free throws, but Matt Barnes hit two free throws with 18.9 seconds remaining to widen the lead. The Lakers made just 18 of 31 free throws on the night.
Andrew Bynum scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Lakers (20-13), who shot 46.1% on the night. Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 24 points and grabbed nine boards. Kobe Bryant had one of his worst games of the season with seven turnovers and 4-of-15 shooting. Bryant ended with 15 points and five rebounds.
Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks (21-13) with 25 points and 12 rebounds, though he missed two free throws, a rarity of rarities, with 3:29 remaining in the game. Vince Carter added 20 points for Dallas, including 18 points in the first half. Jason Terry had nine of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to keep the Mavericks close.
Los Angeles is 2-0 against Dallas this year after getting swept out of the playoffs last season. The Lakers end their first half Thursday night in Oklahoma City against the Thunder.
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