A win is a win but the Los Angeles Lakers looked thoroughly uninspiring in their win against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Despite leading the entire way, the Lakers nearly blew it late in the fourth quarter, only managing a 114-113 victory in the final seconds of the contest.
The Lakers were led by their starting five who all scored in double digits. That lineup as a group outscored the Mavericks by 20 points when it was on the court. LeBron James led the way with 29 points, six assists and five rebounds. JaVale McGee added 16 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks.
The team’s bench, however, was not nearly as effective as it was outscored by the Mavs’ second unit 52 to 22.
The Lakers were also let by their finish to the game, scoring no field goals in the last four minutes of the contest en route to surrendering a 14-point lead. James, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma all split free throws down the stretch.
James hit the final free throw of the game to give the Lakers the win after Wesley Matthews fouled him with seconds to go. Previous to that, the Mavericks had tied the game on an open corner three.
On the latest episode of the Lakers Outsiders Podcast, the guys discuss the positives and negatives from a narrow win and look forward to the team’s next game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
