Home Basketball Despite Dallas was blowed a 20-point lead in the 4th quarter, Kyrie’s clutch 3-pointer propels Mavs past Lakers 104-101

Despite Dallas was blowed a 20-point lead in the 4th quarter, Kyrie’s clutch 3-pointer propels Mavs past Lakers 104-101

Basketball — 11/23/2023

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 104-101 on Wednesday night after blowing a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter and seeing Kyrie Irving score 28 points and make the game-winning 3-pointer with 22 seconds remaining.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) argues for a foul, next to Dallas Mavericks forward Richaun Holmes during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, in Los Angeles.

In addition to scoring 16 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and making the game-winning tip-in with 1:16 remaining for the Lakers, NBA lifetime scoring leader LeBron James also committed an error with four seconds remaining and missed the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.

In the closing minute, Luka Doncic and James both missed a 3-point attempt before Irving calmly made his fourth of the game close to the Lakers bench. After a careless pass from James to the basket was intercepted by Doncic, Irving made two free throws and James missed another three-point effort.

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) passes the ball from between Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) and center Dereck Lively II (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, in Los Angeles.

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The Mavs, who missed 16 of their 19 shots in the fourth quarter, were led by Doncic’s 30 points. Despite outscoring Dallas 30–13 in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles was unable to secure a victory.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, second from left, makes a behind-the-back pass to center Dereck Lively II (2, past Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, in Los Angeles.

Anthony Davis finished the fourth quarter without scoring, finishing with just 10 points and 14 rebounds.

With James leading a sustained run, the Mavs missed their first 11 attempts in the fourth quarter, despite Dallas leading 91-71 against the step-slow Lakers. Towards the end, the Lakers missed four free throws that would have brought the score closer.

The Mavericks, who are among the NBA’s top-scoring teams, defeated the Lakers on the road for the fourth time in a row behind Josh Green’s 15 points.

For the Lakers, who had won six straight games over the previous two weeks, D’Angelo Russell had fifteen points and Austin Reaves had seventeen. This season, Los Angeles has only suffered one home loss in nine games.

With just nine healthy rotation players for their sixth game in nine days, the step-slow Lakers were largely controlled by Dallas for the opening three quarters.

Lakers forward LeBron James passes the ball from between Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, left, and center Dereck Lively II during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. James led a spirited fourth-quarter rally to give the Lakers the lead, but they lost, 104-101. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

In the third quarter, Dereck Lively was forced to be carried to the Dallas locker room after collapsing heavily beneath the Mavs’ basket. The 7-foot-1 center suffered a lower back bruise after colliding with Davis, according to the Mavs.

Along with Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and youngster Jalen Hood-Schifino, Cam Reddish missed the Lakers game due to groin pain.

In Reddish’s place, Max Christie made his fourth career start and finished with seven goals in 23 minutes.

Maxi Kleber of Dallas missed his seventh straight game due to a toe injury. In March of last year, the Mavs went to the Lakers, and, with Doncic out due to injury, Kleber made a game-winning 3-pointer to help them defeat Los Angeles 111-110.