Pachulia's Double-Double Lifts Mavericks Over Sluggish Lakers

DALLAS (AP) — Zaza Pachulia notched his sixth double-double in nine games and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Lakers 90-82 on Friday night for Los Angeles' fourth straight loss.

Kobe Bryant returned to action after missing the Lakers' two previous games with a tight back. He hit his first three shots and finished with 19 points while playing a season-high 32:25.

Dallas extended its record winning streak in the series between the teams to nine.

Pachulia led the Mavs with season highs of 18 points and 16 rebounds. He was acquired last summer after free agent DeAndre Jordan decided to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers with 21 points and was 3 of 5 on 3-point shots.

Deron Williams had 13 points for Dallas.

The Lakers built a 19-9 lead midway through the first quarter, but the Mavericks responded with nine straight points and a 14-3 run to take their first lead of the game with 2:49 left. Dallas never trailed again.

Los Angeles shot 28.6 percent in the second quarter, falling behind 48-40 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Lakers committed six turnovers and converted five field goals.

The Mavericks led by as many as 10 in the third quarter. But the Lakers pulled within 71-70 with 8 minutes left in the fourth. With a chant of "Let's go Lakers!" building, Los Angeles had a chance to take the lead. But Lou Williams missed a jumper, and Wesley Matthews followed at the other end with a 3-pointer.

The Mavericks came off a season-high 55.3 percent shooting game in their win over the Clippers on Wednesday night. They shot 36.6 percent compared to the Lakers' season-low 33.0.

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas' leading scorer going into the game averaging 18.9 points, was held to nine on 4-for-13 shooting.

The Lakers' Julius Randle, who grew up in suburban Plano, Texas, played his first NBA game in Dallas and scored six points, shooting 2 for 9.

TIP-INS

Lakers: They outrebounded Dallas 42-41. Los Angeles entered last in the NBA in rebound margin. . The Lakers finished a five-game road trip 1-4.

Mavericks: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who's expected to return in a week following a seven-game absence, was seated a few seats from the Mavericks' bench. ... The Mavericks led in bench scoring 33-19.

UP NEXT

Lakers: Home against Detroit on Sunday night.

Mavericks: At Houston on Saturday night.

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