Lakers can’t hold back Mavericks in 123-104 loss

The Lakers (2-3) were dismantled on the road by the Dallas Mavericks (3-1) on Tuesday night, falling, 123-104. Monta Ellis led all scorers with 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting with nine assists.

The five Lakers starters combined to outscore Ellis by just two points (32 collectively), led by Pau Gasol with 10.

Nick Young led the Lakers with 21 points off the bench. Jordan Farmar (11), Jodie Meeks (11) and Chris Kaman (10) contributed double figures, but it was the Lakers’ defense that was an issue for most of the night.

The Mavericks shot 52.1% from the field and 13 for 27 from three-point range. Dallas also out-rebounded the Lakers, 50-35.

Lakers Coach Mike D’Antoni experimented with Jordan Hill and Gasol playing together to start the second half, but the results weren’t very impressive as the Lakers struggled to slow down Dallas.

Rookie Ryan Kelly made his NBA regular season debut, knocking down the first shot attempt of his career for three points.

The Lakers play against the Houston Rockets on Thursday. The Mavericks visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

Mavericks 94, Lakers 77 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers went a roundabout way to trim two points off the Mavericks’ 19-point halftime lead. Dallas jumped ahead in the third by 30 (90-60) before the Lakers whittled that lead to just 17.

Monta Ellis led all scorers with 26 points on 9-of-12 shooting along with eight assists. Five Mavericks hit double figures as the team shot 52% from the field with just six turnovers.

The Lakers got 13 from Nick Young off the bench. Pau Gasol and Steve Blake were the team’s highest scoring starters with six points each as the Lakers shot 43.3% from the field.

Mavericks 67, Lakers 48 (halftime)

The Mavericks pushed their lead over the Lakers to 20 before Dirk Nowitzki scored a single point.

A late 7-0 run helped the Lakers climb within 13, but the Mavericks quickly responded before the half, pushing their lead back to 19.

Monta Ellis led all scorers with 16 points as the Mavericks shot 51.9% from the field. DeJuan Blair also scored 10 as Dallas out-rebounded the Lakers, 29-19.

Chris Kaman led the Lakers with 10 points off the bench. The team shot 40.4% from the field.

Mavericks 35, Lakers 22 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers managed to keep Dirk Nowitzki scoreless but Monta Ellis (eight points) and Shawn Marion (seven) and Samuel Dalembert (six) comfortably carried the load for the Mavericks.

Pau Gasol, Xavier Henry and Chris Kaman each scored four as the Lakers shot just 37.5% from the field.

The Mavericks shot 48.1% while holding a 19-10 rebounding advantage.

Pregame

The Lakers (2-2) visit the Dallas Mavericks (2-1) on Tuesday night in their second road game of the season.

The Mavericks are a loaded team offensively with scorers Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis.

Will the Lakers get their first road win of the season?

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Mavericks.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.