LOS ANGELES — Guard Monta Ellis scored 26 of his 31 points in the second half, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 100-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at Staples Center.
Ellis connected on 12 of 22 field-goal attempts, including two clutch buckets late in the fourth quarter. He also made five of seven from behind the 3-point arc, helping the Mavericks (41-24) end a two-game skid. The win kept Dallas a half-game ahead of the San Antonio Spurs for sixth place in the Western Conference standings.
Reserve forward Al-Farouq Amini finished with 13 points and keyed a Dallas rally in the final period, and forward Dirk Nowitzki had 12 points.
Dallas forward Chandler Parsons returned after missing seven games with a left ankle sprain. He finished with 11 points and six rebounds in 35 minutes.
Los Angeles forward Carlos Boozer scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Wesley Johnson added 15 apiece as the Lakers (16-46) lost their fifth in a row.
A basket and four free throws by Aminu triggered an 11-0 surge that gave Dallas the lead. Point guard Rajon Rondo’s jumper with 4:13 left in the game gave the Mavericks a 92-90 advantage, and the visitors never trailed again. Ellis sealed the decision with a 3-pointer and a jumper in the final two minutes.
The teams ended the half tied at 44, but the Lakers took a 57-50 lead after a reverse dunk by guard Wayne Ellington in the third quarter. The Mavericks cut the deficit to 59-57 after two free throws by center Tyson Chandler, but the Lakers went on a 10-3 run for a 69-60 advantage on two foul shots by Lin with 3:33 remaining in the quarter.
However, Ellis’ 3-pointer pulled Dallas within 77-75 to end the third. Ellis scored 18 points in the quarter.
Los Angeles outrebounded Dallas 47-33. The Lakers held a 15-6 edge on the offensive glass.
The Mavericks, though, converted nine of 26 3-point shots compared to two of 14 for the Lakers.
NOTES: Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said his club needs to fight through its recent struggles. The Mavericks are 5-5 since the All-Star break. “As a team we need to pick it up defensively and get more transition opportunities,” Carlisle said. “The quality of opponents has gone up in recent weeks, and that makes it harder. We’re going through a tough period right now.” … Dallas G Devin Harris missed his second game with a sore right hand. … Los Angeles G Nick Young sat out his seventh consecutive game with a sore left knee. … Lakers coach Byron Scott shook up his starting lineup, inserting rookie C Tarik Black and F Wesley Johnson for C Robert Sacre and F Ryan Kelly. … The Mavericks host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, while the Lakers play the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday at Staples Center.