Nowitzki, Mavs Overpower Kobe, Lakers

Bryant's 40 can't revive LA from poor effort in third quarter
By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 26, 2008 8:17 AM CST
Nowitzki, Mavs Overpower Kobe, Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts to being fouled as he drives past Dallas Mavericks forward Trenton Hassell, right, in the first half of an NBA game in Dallas, Friday, Jan. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)   (Associated Press)

A superior third quarter allowed Dallas to survive a barrage of points by the Lakers' Kobe Bryant late in the game last night, to win 112-105. Bryant, the second-leading scorer in the NBA, dropped in 40 for the second time since teammate Andrew Bynum was injured. Josh Howard and Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 26 points and 10 rebounds apiece.

Bryant single-handedly tried to bring LA back in the final period with 16 points but Mavs guard Devin Harris scored two key baskets to clinch it. Bryant struggled on both ends of the floor in the third, making only one shot and playing poor defense as the Lakers dropped their second straight in Texas; they lost Wednesday at San Antonio. (More basketball stories.)

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