Lakers trounce Mavericks, 115-89, to snap two-game skid

Lakers 115 - Mavericks 89 (final)

The Lakers finished their three-game road trip with a resounding victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The 26-point win was the first road victory for the Lakers after dropping their first four to start the season.

Metta World Peace got the offense started early and finished with 19 points, tying Kobe Bryant and Antawn Jamison for game-highs. Antawn Jamison put in his second straight strong performance, collecting a game-high 15 rebounds.

The Lakers shot 48.8% as a team and 54.5% from three. Six Lakers scored in double figures, including Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard and Jodie Meeks.

The game was essentially decided in the first half, with the second not much more than a scrimmage.

Dallas was led by Vince Carter off the bench with 16. Rookie Jae Crowder chipped in 15.

The Lakers and Mavericks finish the night tied with 7-7 records.

Lakers 89 - Mavericks 65 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers and Mavericks traded baskets for much of the third quarter, closing with a Dallas run to shave a one-time Lakers’ 37-point lead to 24.

Through three quarters, the Lakers shot 51.7% from the field and 60% from three. Dwight Howard hit double-figures in the third with 13, matching Pau Gasol and Antawn Jamison.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 19. Jamison was high-man on the boards with 14 in 22 minutes.

The Mavericks were led by Vince Carter’s 16 points.

Lakers 65 - Mavericks 38 (halftime)

The Lakers finished what was probably their best half of basketball this season, building a 27-point lead in Dallas.

Dwight Howard’s line shows meager numbers with four points and two rebounds, but he was a defensive force for the Lakers. The Mavericks shot just 38.1% from the field, led by seven points from Vince Carter.

The Lakers shot 58.5% from the field and a stunning 80% from behind the arc. They even hit 9-11 free throws. Metta World Peace led the way with 16 followed by Kobe Bryant’s 15.

Coming off a breakout game against the Memphis Grizzlies (in a loss), Antawn Jamison tallied a double-double (11 points and 11 boards) in less than 16 minutes of play.

The Lakers also dominated the boards 28-14.

Lakers 36 - Mavericks 23 (end of first quarter)

After two straight games of struggle, the Lakers exploded on the Mavericks for 36 points in the first, led by Metta World Peace’s 16 points on 6-7 from the field.

The Lakers shot 65% from the field while holding the Mavericks to 42.9%. Pau Gasol recovered from his slump with eight points, four rebounds and two assists in 10 minutes.

The lead extended to 16 before the Lakers got a little sloppy, fouling and turning the ball over. Dallas closed to within 10 before World Peace hit his fourth three-pointer of the quarter.

Dallas was led by Brandan Wright’s six.

Pregame

The Lakers visit the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night for their fourth game in five nights.

Can the Lakers avenge their opening night loss to Dallas or will tired legs mean a third straight loss? The Lakers have fallen back under .500 to 6-7, but can tie the Mavericks at 7-7 with a victory.

The Mavericks will be without Dirk Nowitzki (knee). The Lakers will not have Nowitzki’s former teammate Steve Nash (knee) in the lineup for the 12th consecutive game. Steve Blake will miss his seventh straight with an abdominal injury.

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Mavericks.

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You can email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.