Los Angeles, CA – On the tail end of a two game losing streak, the Dallas Mavericks will need to find a way to take down the Los Angeles Lakers. I sat down last night ready to take in the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors showdown. These two teams were a combined 78-10 heading into the matchup. Then the game started. Stephen Curry happened, and it became clear that that the Warriors would now have a days rest before they play our Mavericks on the back end of a back to back.
Enter the Lakers. Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant have battled for almost two decades now, and share a mutual respect of one another. With this being Bryant’s last season, and the Lakers having no hope of reaching the playoffs, this will be the final time you will see these two Hall of Famer’s go head to head.
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The Mavericks are coming off back to back losses, but they look to take their 9th straight decision against the Lakers tonight. The Mavericks will need to find a way to not only win, but do it in a fashion that will allow some of their starters some rest in that final quarter. If not, there is a real good chance you could see Rick Carlisle pulling yet another “Pop” impression and resting some of our boys tomorrow night in Golden State.
Last time, the Mavericks won that 9th straight game over the Lakers, 103-93. Nowitzki scored 25 and hauled in nine rebounds, while Bryant struggled going 3-15 from the field, only collecting 15 points in total. Nowitzki had 25 points and nine rebounds while Bryant was held to 15 and went 3 of 15 from the field in Dallas’ 103-93 win Nov. 1, the most recent meeting at Staples Center.
“It was just two old guys having fun,” Bryant said after that contest. “I was trying to catch him before he got too high because he’s too damn tall.”
“It was a pleasure to compete against him, to get to know him at some All-Star Games, see how he ticks, see how he clicks, see how he thinks, picking his brain on occasions… it’s been incredible for us,” Nowitzki said. “I think (Kevin Durant) said it best: Of our generation, he was our Michael Jordan. The shot-making, the playmaking, the clutch shots, scoring at will at times — it was incredible to watch.
Chandler Parsons has been on fire as of late, and seems to be playing at his best following that off-season knee surgery. He has averaged 29 points in his last three games, going 12-18 from beyond the arc. His most recent outing was when he put up a season-high 31 points in the loss to Houston.
Zaza Pachulia is expected to play tonight, despite missing Sunday’s game in Houston, and three of the last eight games overall.
How To Watch:
You can catch tonights game at 9:30 CT on NBATV & Fox Sports Southwest
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