Lakers Couldn't Get Over Hump Against Mavs, Fall 102-98
DALLAS (CBSLA.com/AP) -- Rajon Rondo scored a season-high 21 points in his fourth game with Dallas and Dirk Nowitzki added 14 to move up another spot on the NBA's scoring list in the Mavericks' 102-98 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
Rondo, traded from Boston last week, also had eight rebounds and seven assists in Dallas' franchise-best fifth straight win against the Lakers in the regular season.
Kobe Bryant missed his third straight game for Los Angeles to rest his sore body. He could return Sunday at home against Phoenix.
During the TWC SportsNet broadcast, Bryant had some fun showing a heckler how many rings he had.
Carlos Boozer scored 18 points for the Lakers, who lost again on the second night of a back-to-back after beating NBA-leading Golden State in the first game without Bryant.