Scorching-hot Lakers pummel Mavericks at Staples Center

By Bryan Chu, for NBA.com
Posted Monday January 4, 2010 1:32AM

LOS ANGELES (NBA.com exclusive) -- A game removed from the heroics of Kobe Bryant, the Lakers didn't need a last second shot this time.

From the outset, the defending champs jumped all over the Mavericks, setting several season-highs against the team with the second best record in the Western Conference.

The Lakers and the play of their bench never let up as they throttled Dallas, 131-96, Sunday at Staples Center.

This game was nothing short of an offensive explosion. Los Angeles recorded its largest margin of victory, scored a season high in points and converted a season-best 63.4 percent from the field.

"That was unbelievable," Lakers center Andrew Bynum said. "I think the rim was like the ocean for everybody today. Everybody was just throwing it up there and it was going in."

About the only thing that went wrong for the Lakers (27-6) was an injury to Lakers forward Pau Gasol, who played only seven minutes after going down with a strained left hamstring in the first quarter.

Gasol will undergo an ultrasound on Monday to evaluate the extent of the injury. The 7-footer missed the season's first 11 games due to a right hamstring injury he suffered in the preseason.

"He complained before the game started that he was feeling some tightness," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, adding later the injury is "something that we have to take seriously."

The Lakers, who are 19-3 at home, avenged their first loss of the season, a 94-80 loss to the Mavericks on Oct. 30 at Staples Center.

This game had a completely different feel.

The Lakers' bench was the story, combining for a season-high 66 points. The previous best was 46 points on Nov. 8 against New Orleans.

Lakers guard Jordan Farmar had a game-high 24 points, which matched his career high. He also set a career-high in 3-pointers made with six. Sasha Vujacic had a season-high 11 points and Shannon Brown chipped in with 11.

Bryant didn't need a big game, but he did set another mark in his illustrious career.

The NBA's leading scorer had 15 points, tying him for 15th on the NBA's all-time scoring list with Patrick Ewing (24,815). Next up is Jerry West (25,192).

Coming off a victory at Sacramento the night before, the Mavericks (23-11) put up little fight early.

The Lakers built a sizeable lead, 30-13, at the end of the first quarter. Dallas' deficit ballooned to 25 points at halftime and with 10:59 left in the game it was 43 points, 108-65, after Farmar sank a 3-pointer.

"Just an embarrassing effort," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "We all own it so I don't know how else to put it. They played great and we played terrible."

If it wasn't the Lakers' bench torching Dallas from deep it was the efficient play of Lamar Odom (15 points and 15 rebounds) and Andrew Bynum, who had 19 in his best game in a month.

"They had whatever they wanted," said Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, who tallied 22 points on 7-for-18 from the field.

There wasn't much production outside of Nowitzki. Tim Thomas had 12 points, while Jose Juan Barea and Jason Terry both had 10.

The Lakers played pretty good defense in this game. After giving up an average of 109.5 points in the last six games, the Lakers held their opponent close to their season average of 97.3 points.

Dallas also didn't shoot well early either, making just 4-of-25 shots in the first quarter. In the first half, the Mavericks made 27.9 percent from the field and during one stretch in the first half they clanked 13 straight shots. The streak of misses ended when Barea hitting a 15-foot pullup to bring the game to 37-19 with 9:53 in the second quarter. Dallas didn't hit its first 3-pointer until Terry connected on one with 1:47 to go before intermission.

"We just have to throw it out the window," Mavericks forward Shawn Marion said. "It happens."

NOTES: Jackson said Ron Artest, who has missed the past five games with a concussion, will take part in his first full-contact practice Monday. Jackson said he is hopeful Artest will be ready to play Tuesday against Houston.

"I told (Jackson) whenever they tell me, I'll go," Artest said. "It's not comfortable, but you'll never be 100 percent. I've never played a season where I've been 100 percent.

"I'm getting the staples out. Five days ago it was pretty bad. They say it takes 7-10 days. Basically, I'm on schedule."

• Mavericks: Carroll, Dampier, Williams
• Lakers: Walton

• Mavericks: --
• Lakers: Bryant

• Lead Changes: 2
• Times Tied: 2

• Arena: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
• Officials: #18 Mark Wunderlich, #45 Joe Forte, #66 Haywoode Workman
• Attendance: 18997
• Duration: 2:5