Lakers 99, Mavericks 97

By JOHN NADEL

AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant scored 23 of his 38 points in the second half, and also had 10 rebounds and six assists Sunday night as the Los Angeles Lakers continued their domination over Dallas, beating the Mavericks 99-97.

Shaquille O’Neal added 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, who have beaten the Mavericks 20 straight times at home dating back nearly 10 years and won 35 of the last 38 games between the teams.

However, O’Neal was only 5-of-19 from the free throw line, and spent time on the bench late in the game when it was obvious Dallas wanted to foul him intentionally to send him to the foul line.

Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Michael Finley scored 22 points and Howard Eisley added 14 points and 10 assists for Dallas.

Bryant, who scored a career-high 43 points two nights earlier, followed in a missed shot as the third quarter was ending to give the Lakers a 71-63 lead, and a 10-4 run put them ahead 81-69 with 7 1/2 minutes remaining.

With the Lakers leading 83-75, the Mavericks intentionally fouled O’Neal with 5:20 to play, and he missed both free throws, making him 5-for-17 in the game.

O’Neal then committed his fourth foul and was taken out, and the Mavericks scored the next seven points — five by Nowitzki — to draw within one point with 3:49 left.

But that was as close as the Mavericks would get.

O’Neal returned to the game with 1:50 remaining — intentional fouls away from the ball aren’t allowed in the final two minutes — and the Lakers leading 89-88. However, he was fouled with 1:36 to play after getting an offensive rebound, missed another two free throws, and went to the bench shortly later.

A Dallas turnover followed, and two baskets by Bryant made it 93-88 with 41 seconds to go. Two free throws by Bryant, and another two each by Robert Horry and Isaiah Rider kept the Lakers safely ahead as time wound down. Nowitzki made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to complete the scoring.

The Lakers, who went ahead for good late in the first quarter outscored the Mavericks 18-10 to finish the second period for a 47-37 halftime lead.

Notes: The Mavericks played without guards Steve Nash (bruised calf) and Hubert Davis (strained groin). Nash, who started Dallas’ previous 17 games, was replaced by rookie Courtney Alexander. … The Lakers have won nine straight home games since losing to Utah in their home opener. … The Mavericks entered the game having won four of the last five road games and six of nine overall this season. It took them 21 games to win No. 6 on the road last season. … Since losing three of five games to Dallas in the 1986-87 season, the Lakers are 47-6 against the Mavericks. … Nobody on either team attempted a free throw other than O’Neal until Bryant went to the foul line with 3:16 left before halftime. … Dallas didn’t try its first free throw until Greg Buckner made two with 6.2 seconds left in the half.