Lakers—Best in the West?

By: Sabrina Maharaj

The Lakers managed to regain composure beating the Dallas Mavericks 107-100. The Lakers dominated the Mavericks ending the second quarter 66-54, but the Mavericks weren’t going to let the Lakers off the hook that easy. The OC Register reported that the Lakers learned a lesson today after blowing a 15-point lead in the third quarter. As the Los Angeles Times described it, the Lakers “were stymied by the Mavericks' zone defense and settled for too many three-point attempts in the second half, making only three of 14.”

Midway into the third quarter, the Lakers were now down 81-66. ESPN reported that both teams had mostly reserves on the court during the third quarter, but “when Bryant and the other Lakers starters returned early in the fourth, Los Angeles went on a 12-0 spurt of its own.” Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 29 points, Trevor Ariza with a career-high of 26 points and a huge contribution on defense, as well as Pao Gasol who had 25 points. With a comeback like this, the Lakers should be on the path to a rewarding season.

Photo: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Time