The Mavericks had a golden opportunity slip by them on Sunday as the Kobe Bryant-less Los Angeles Lakers outlasted them for a 112-108 victory in overtime at Staples Center.
Even with no Bryant to carry them in crunch time, the Lakers got critical buckets late from Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace, all of whom have been part of Laker championship teams with Bryant.
Overtime was filled with one clutch shot after another, most of them from beyond the 3-point arc.
Terry and Nowitzki both canned a couple, but Pau Gasol – 5-of-23 from 3-point range coming into this game – nailed two in a row. The first one had the Mavericks steaming as Matt Barnes flew toward the basket and appeared to jam the ball through for what could have been offensive goaltending. But the referees made no call.
Gasol’s second one was legit as he hit both of his shots from the corner. There was still 2:56 to play and the Lakers were up 106-104. Delonte West hit a pair of free throws, but Andrew Bynum made a pretty shake move in the paint to free up for a 14-footer that swished and put the Lakers up 108-106.
Metta World Peace scored for LA on a fadeaway, then Nowitzki knocked in two free throws with 40.8 left, setting up a needed defensive stop, which the Mavericks got when Bynum missed a jump hook and Shawn Marion rebounded.
With 15.1 seconds left, the Mavericks got the ball to Terry, who got past the LA defense, but was met at the rim and had his attempt blocked. The Lakers rebounded and the Mavericks had to foul. Curiously, Marion waited until only 0.5 seconds were left before fouling Pau Gasol, who made both free throws to end it.