Lakers Beat Mavs In Game Full Of Ejections, Altercations
LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) -- Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry and Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Barnes were ejected from Thursday night's game following an altercation in the fourth quarter.
Photo Gallery: Fight Night At Staples
The incident took place with 9:23 remaining when Terry delivered a two-handed shove to the back of Lakers point guard Steve Blake as he drove to the hoop. Blake and Terry went toe-to-toe, exchanging words before Barnes intervened and pushed Terry.
Barnes was restrained by Mavericks assistant Terry Stotts in front of the Dallas bench. Barnes attempted to walk toward the Lakers' bench and shook off Stotts' grasp, sending the coach flying into spectators sitting courtside.
Play was stopped for several moments as referees went to the replay monitors. Mavericks center Brendan Haywood was also ejected.
Terry was hit with a flagrant-2 foul. Seldom-used Lakers center Theo Ratliff came on to shoot the pair of free throws, missing both.
The late skirmish didn't take away from the Lakers' 16th win in 17 games since the All-Star break, helping them pull within 2 1/2 games of slumping San Antonio for the NBA's top overall record.
Kobe Bryant scored 28 points as the Lakers cruised to a 110-82 win.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
