Game of the week: Lakers host Mavericks on Thursday
- Share via
LAKERS VS. DALLAS
Thursday, 7:30 p.m. TV: TNT
The stakes are the same, but the scene has shifted.
On March 12, the Lakers went to Dallas, 11/2 games behind the Mavericks, winners of 20 of 24 including the teams’ only previous contest, for No. 2 in the West.
A win would have given the Mavericks the season series and a 21/2-game lead with 16 left — and left the Lakers looking at playing Dallas and San Antonio on the road, back-to-back, in the playoffs, assuming they got to the Spurs.
Instead, with Kobe Bryant leaving, returning and playing 33 minutes with a badly sprained ankle, the Lakers led almost wire-to-wire and won, 96-91.
Now the Lakers, winners of 13 of 14, lead the Mavericks with the season series to be decided in this game, but it’s at Staples Center.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
