Nowitzki paces Mavs past Lakers

Josh Howard had 29 points and Jason Terry scored 26 to go along with nine assists for the Mavericks, who won for the ninth time in their last 10 home games.

Devin Harris had 14 points before fouling out for Dallas, which shot a season-best 60 percent from the field.

Kobe Bryant scored 28 of his game-high 33 points in the second half for the Lakers, who had a three-game winning streak broken.

Before the game, the Lakers got some bad news on forward Lamar Odom. He sprained his right knee Tuesday night in a victory at Houston and will be out a month.

Although the Lakers never led, they stayed close until the early part of the fourth quarter.

Jordan Farmar’s jumper tied the game at 83 for the Lakers in the opening minute of the final period. Buckets by Harris and Terry gave the Mavs a four- point lead and LA could only get within two the rest of the way.

Bryant’s two free throws made it 87-85 with 9:09 remaining. However, Howard countered with a three-point play, and after Nowitzki blocked a Bryant shot, Terry banged in a three. Howard’s running shot extended the margin to 95-85 with 7:19 remaining.

Dallas led by as many as 14 down the stretch.

Luke Walton ended with 13 points for the Lakers, who also got 12 points apiece from Farmar and Smush Parker.

The Mavs scored the game’s first eight points and led 33-21 after 12 minutes. The Lakers closed within 56-47 at the half and were behind only 83-81 going into the fourth.

The Lakers and Bryant overcame a scary moment with 3:31 left in the third, when Bryant drove to the basket before falling to the floor and colliding with Dallas’ DeSagana Diop. Bryant was holding his wrist in pain, but it turned out to be only that he hit his funny bone and remained in the game to make two free throws.

Game Notes

The Lakers have lost four of their last six at Dallas...Vladimir Radmanovic had 11 points for LA, which went 31-of-41 at the foul line.