Another loss, another close game until a late collapse. This is the story of the Lakers' season, and it was retold in tonight's 100-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers trailed the Mavs 25-24 after the first quarter, with Jordan Clarkson posting a well rounded early stat line of 4 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in the first 12 minutes. Jordan Hill scored 6 quick points of his own, including a soaring put-back dunk that may have been the highest Hill has ever jumped.
The score was even at 44 headed into halftime, with Carlos Boozer's 9 points on 3-7 shooting leading the way for the team after 24 minutes. The Mavericks shot just 18.2% from three and while the Lakers missed all 6 of their attempts from behind the arc, which contributed a low scoring and lackadaisical affair. The Mavericks could not keep the Lakers off of the offensive boards as well, with the Lakers grabbing offensive rebounds to Dallas' 2, allowing them to stay even in a half in which they were outshot 45.9%-43.5%.
Monta Ellis showed it all when he scored 18 points in the 3rd quarter to help the Mavericks only trail 77-75 after a third quarter in which the Lakers led by as much as 10. Wesley Johnson scored 7 points of his own in the period to help the Lakers take their small lead.
The fourth quarter was a back and forth affair, but a late 16-1 run by Dallas was enough to give the Lakers their fifth consecutive loss. Ellis finished with 31 points on 22 shots, and Al-Farouq Aminu (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 steals) was an x-factor for the Mavericks with his defensive activity. Much rumored Lakers free agency target Rajon Rondo continued his season to forget, totaling 8 points on 10 shots with 9 assists and 3 turnovers.
For the Lakers, Clarkson finished with (15 points, 6-13 shooting, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 turnovers), but took only 1 field goal attempt in the second half. Boozer (17 points, 8-15 shooting, 8 rebounds) was nearly destructive to the Lakers' tank, and Ed Davis (10 points, 5-8 FGs, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks) was productive despite playing the fewest minutes (19) of any Laker who saw the floor. The Lakers also finally won a third quarter, which is normally when they collapse rather than in the fourth like tonight. The team will next look ahead to Tuesday's game against the Detroit Pistons and old friend Jodie Meeks.
Also, Ryan Kelly is dead at Chandler Parsons hands. RIP