LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20 (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant always has wanted to be mentioned with the all-time greats. His performance against the Dallas Mavericks certainly was the stuff of legend.

Bryant scored a phenomenal 62 points - the most in the NBA in 11 years - to propel the Los Angeles Lakers to a 112-90 rout of the Mavericks.

NBA TV highlights from Mavericks-Lakers: Play

The 27-year-old Bryant became just the 19th player in league history to reach the 60-point plateau and the first since Philadelphia's Allen Iverson against Orlando on February 12 of last season.

His explosion was the most points by any player since San Antonio's David Robinson scored 71 points in pursuit of a scoring title in the 1993-94 season finale at the Los Angeles Clippers.

After scoring 43 points in Los Angeles' 109-106 triumph December 12 at Dallas, Bryant picked up right where he left off with 32 points in the first half before a historic 30-point third quarter.

In the fourth-highest scoring quarter in league history, Bryant made 7-of-13 shots and 14-of-16 free throws as he thoroughly frustrated the Mavericks, who began arguing with officials and taking hard fouls. He finished with a flourish, drilling a 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left to open a 95-61 lead.

Just as in his previous career high of 56 vs. Memphis on January 14, 2002, Bryant did not play the fourth quarter.

The superstar guard connected on 18-of-31 shots, including 4-of-10 from the arc, and 22-of-25 free throws. He had no assists, but by the second quarter, no one in the Staples Center wanted him to pass.

Through three quarters, the shellshocked Mavericks made 22-of-65 shots, including 0-of-10 3-pointers, and 17-of-24 free throws.

The outburst pushed Bryant's scoring average from 31.3 points to 32.5, still second in the league behind Iverson.

Dallas never led as it saw a three-game winning streak halted. The frustration began early in the third quarter when All-Star Dirk Nowitzki was hit in the face by Bryant's flailing arm. When the foul was called on Nowitzki, he received a technical foul for throwing his mouthpiece.

Less than three minutes later, Josh Howard was called for a flagrant foul after clotheslining a driving Bryant. Mavericks coach Avery Johnson was called for his second technical foul of the quarter and was ejected with 7:46 left. Everything fell apart for Dallas thereafter.