Dallas shot 53.3 percent for the game while forcing the Lakers into 18 turnovers.
Points in the paint played a huge role in Los Angeles' convincing defeat. The Lakers were outscored 58-32 down low, with many of those baskets coming with little to no defensive pressure.
Five players scored in double figures for the Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki led all scorers with 27 points, while veteran swingman Vince Carter came off the bench to drop 19 of his own.
Key Players: Los Angeles Lakers
Pau Gasol, Power Forward
The four-time NBA All-Star came into this game having scored a season-high 25 points against the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 5.
Things looked promising in the first quarter. Gasol had 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting. His defense left a lot to be desired, as Dallas basically had its way in the paint, but at least Gasol was leveling the playing field by keeping the score close.
His offense dried up as the game progressed. scoring just five points in the final 36 minutes.
Gasol did become more of a factor on the glass, finishing the night with 13 rebounds, so there's that.
Dirk Nowitzki, his defensive assignment for the night, led the Mavericks with 27 points on an efficient 12-of-20 shooting. It's safe to say that the Spaniard didn't emerge victorious, both on the scoreboard and one-on-one with Nowitzki, on this occasion.
Grade: B-
Kendall Marshall, Point Guard
The Kendall Marshall experience continues for Los Angeles. In six games with the team, Marshall is averaging 8.3 points and 7.0 assists on 52.8 percent shooting.
Marsh...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
