Here is what you need to know before the Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks.
1)
This game features the final matchup between two of the greatest scorers in league history: Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant. The 20-year Laker ranks third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list (33,084), while Nowitzki clocks in at sixth (28,863). They are the top two active scorers, with third-place Tim Duncan more than 2,000 points behind the Dallas legend.
2)
Larry Nance Jr. is expected to return to the rotation after missing three games due to a sore right knee. Head coach Byron Scott said Nance will “probably” start like he did in 22 straight contests before his injury.
3)
Brandon Bass will face one of his four former teams. The 11-year veteran spent two years with Dallas from 2007-09 and was teammates with three current Mavericks: Nowitzki, Devin Harris and J.J. Brea.
4)
In his 17th season, Nowitzki has seen some of his numbers dip, including his 45.0 field goal percentage, which at its lowest since his rookie year. However, he remains an elite outside shooter, boasting the league’s third-most catch-and-shoot points (8.0) and a team-high 40.0 3-point percentage.
5)
Few players in the league have been exploding like Chandler Parsons has recently. The 2011 second-round pick is averaging 29.0 points in his last three games, while hitting 60.8 percent of his shots (31-of-51), including 12-of-18 from beyond the arc.
6)
Zaza Pachulia, who ranks second in the NBA in offensive rebounds, is listed as doubtful (right lower leg soreness). But Dallas has an interesting alternative in rookie Salah Mejri, who made his first start on Sunday and tallied a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double after sitting out 35 of the previous 37 games.
7)
The Mavericks have two of the league’s most reliable free throw shooters. Nowitzki hits the third-best mark on foul shots (90.3), while Deron Williams is right behind him (90.1).
8)
The Mavericks take care of the ball better than nearly every other team, committing the third-fewest turnovers (13.3).
9)
Dallas has put the hurt on the Lakers recently, winning each of the teams’ last nine meetings. With a win, the Mavs would sweep the season series for the third straight season after never doing so in their previous 34 years of existence.
10)
Some of Bryant’s most memorable moments came versus the Mavericks. His first 30-point game was against them as a sophomore on Dec. 14, 1997. Eight years and six days later, he put on one of the NBA’s most dominant scoring efforts ever, outscoring Dallas by himself through three quarters with 62 points before sitting out the entire fourth.