Lakers dominated over Mavs despite Anthony Davis' absence
LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a dominating win over the Dallas Mavericks 129-114 at American Airlines Center. James finished with 35 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists as the Lakers won their seventh consecutive game. The Mavericks have lost two in a row and three of their past four games. Kyle Kuzma had the breakout game dropping 19 points in the first half and finishing with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Kyle Kuzma started in place of Anthony Davis, who sets down because of a lower back injury.
Doncic finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists but also committed 6 turnovers. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 22 points for the Mavericks. The Mavericks played their sixth straight game without 7-foot-3 forward Kristaps Porzingis, their second leading scorer, because of right knee soreness.
The Lakers scored a season-high 79 points in the first half. After getting some good run in the third quarter, the Mavericks cut the lead to 91-81 with 3:34 left in the quarter. It was the closest the game since the first quarter. The Mavericks cut a 21-point deficit to 10 during the third quarter, but the Lakers ultimately took a 99-86 lead going to the fourth.
Rough game for the Mavs. Even though they didn't have Porzingis, their team should be good enough to hang with the Lakers minus AD.
You're right, they had a bad first half.