The Credits: "C.R.A.Z.Y"

What a game last night.

In Los Angeles' 96-91 victory last night over the Dallas Mavericks, no emotion was spared as the Lakers took the fans on a rollercoaster ride of excitement, joy, fear, anger and helplessness. Uneasy that the Mavs had clawed back into the game with minutes remaining, getting within one point of of the Lakers, our stomachs churned with each clank of the rim as Laker after Laker missed free-throws.

In a game where Kobe struggled, Pau and Bynum were asked to step up and delivered. The most surprising player to step up for the Lakers? Derek Fisher, and that's not a typo. C.A Clark explains:

Derek freaking Fisher trolled us all, scoring 15 points on 8 shots, including his clutch shot of the month, a big three-pointer to extend the Lakers' lead to 5 late in the game.

Fisher commented on what finally decided the game:

Well, Matt Barnes finally made a couple of free throws, so that was big for sure. Also, having a bit of a cushion on the road is big. We’ve played from behind a lot in our road games, and to have that cushion so that when things don’t always go as well, you can still get a win.

Quick flight out to Oklahoma to face the Thunder tonight. This may not end well.

↓ Much more after the jump ↓

Lakers News

• Notebook: Lakers 96, Mavericks 91
• Lakers 96, Mavs 91: Feb. 22 Running Diary | Lakers Blog
• Lakers Late Night replay vs. Dallas | ESPN LA
• Rapid Reaction: Lakers 96, Mavericks 91 | ESPN LA
• Mike Brown, Gregg Popovich and managing minutes | ESPN LA
• Magic Johnson backs Kobe Bryant's play | LA Times
• Their play's the thing in Lakers' victory | LA Times
• Lakers continue to show a flair for the dramatic | LA Times
• Mark Cuban not unhappy with Lakers drama...though he misses Phil Jackson | LA Times
• Kobe Bryant deserves better communication from Jim Buss | LA Times
• Magic Johnson: Jim Buss is running the Lakers, not Mitch Kupchak | LA Times
• Lakers somehow beat Dallas, 96-91 | LA Times
• Gasol, memories fuel Lakers | OC Register
• One-time All-Stars: Will Bynum be next? | OC Register
• Lakers 96, Mavericks 91 | OC Register
• Brown says role more limited with Lakers | OC Register
• Lakers Thursday preview: at Oklahoma City Thunder (26-7) | OC Register

NBA.com

• Hawks vs. Knicks | NBA.com
• Celtics vs. Thunder
• Blogtable: Our Midseason Awards
• Mavs' Odom out vs. Lakers to attend to family member
• Sacramento, NBA close to arena financing deal
• Notebook: Magic 108, Nets 91

ESPN

• Knicks' Jeremy Lin says LeBron James' defense won't change his approach
• Jeremy Lin scores 17, rests in 4th quarter of Knicks' rout
• Bulls' Derrick Rose denies rumors of pushing for Pau Gasol trade

Yahoo! Sports

• Lakers hit midway mark with 96-91 win over Dallas
• Lakers-Thunder Preview
• Joel Przybilla signing with Trail Blazers
• Deron Williams exacts revenge on Jeremy Lin, N.Y.

ProBasketball Talk

• Stephen Curry suffers right foot injury, consider him questionable for Skills Challenge
• Michael Jordan sues Chinese apparel company
• Report: J.R. Smith fined more than $1 million by Chinese team
• Kevin Durant to replace Joe Johnson in Three-Point Contest
• Rajon Rondo to replace Joe Johnson in All-Star Game
• Chase Budinger dunks over Yao Ming (well, a cut out of him)
• Jeremy Lin would like to trademark “Linsanity” himself
• Report: Joel Przybilla chooses to play in Portland
• LeBron says he expects to cover Jeremy Lin some Thursday
• Nets pulling out all the fireworks to impress Dwight Howard

Dime Mag / SLAM Online

• A Jeremy Lin Effect: 5 NBA Players Who Need A Chance To Play | Dime Magazine
• We Reminisce Gallery: 10 Years of Dime Pieces | Dime Magazine
• LeBron James’ Block and 50-Foot Alley-Oop to Dwyane Wade | Dime Magazine
• Paul George’s Windmill Slam Against the Hornets | Dime Magazine
• Boston Adds An All-Star, Loses A Game; Linsanity & Carmelo Get On The Same Page | Dime Magazine
• Video: Blake Griffin Dunks All Over the Nuggets | SLAM Online
• Eric Gordon Interested in Joining the Indiana Pacers? | SLAM Online
• Photos: Introducing Nike+ Basketball | SLAM Online

Blogs and Other Links

• A Look Back at Kobe Bryant Sneakers Through the Years | Lakers Nation
• Magic Johnson: Lakers Need a Trade to Compete in Western Conference | Lakers Nation
• Congrats to the Lakers vs Mavericks New Era Caps Giveaway Winner | Lakers Nation
• Lakers/Mavericks: Revenge Continued | Forum Blue & Gold
• Playing pick-up ball with “Jeremy” | HoopSpeak.com
• Report Card 2.22.12: Knicks cruise, Griffin flies | Eye On Basketball
• Blake Griffin launches from deep for dunk video | Eye On Basketball
• Kobe, Magic say it's time for Buss to meet Bryant | Eye On Basketball
• Luke Ridnour game-winning buzzer-beater video | Eye On Basketball
• Report: Murder suspect Crittenton arrested again | Eye On Basketball
• David Stern admits lockout season 'not perfect' | Eye On Basketball
• Essay: The Milwaukee Bucks And Perpetual Sorrow | Shaky Ankles
• This is your new favorite Larry Bird photo | The Basketball Jones

Multimedia

• Day in the Life: Sideline Reporter | Lakers.com
• Mavericks vs Lakers Gallery | Lakers.com
• David Stern Interview
• Video: Monta Ellis hits tough fadeaway with one second left to beat the Suns
• Video: Kobe Bryant Hits an Incredible Shot in the Win Over the Mavs | Lakers Nation
• Lakers at Mavericks HD Highlights | JD2K