Dallas Basketball

Mavs at Lakers FINAL: Kyrie Irving, Maxi Kleber Lead Dallas To Win in Thriller - VIDEO

The Dallas Mavericks played the Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena on Friday night. Without Luka Doncic, and possibly no Kyrie Irving, the Mavs faced a Lakers team also dealing with significant injuries.

Lance Roberson

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Typically, the stars show out in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, for the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and NBA fans alike, Luka Doncic and LeBron James didn't suit up for Friday night's important matchup at Crypto.com Arena.

Still, we thought going in that both teams could have a potential star clash with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving to salvage the situation. And indeed ...

Dallas won a 111-110 thriller with Irving carrying the load with 38 points. ... oh, and with Maxi Kleber's 3-point fadeaway buzzer-beater.

"I've never had a game-winner like that,'' Kleber said. "Amazing!''

The Mavericks move to 36-35 with the win. The Lakers are 34-37.

The Mavs topped the Lakers 62-54 at the half. Irving was in charge then with 14 points and five assists as the Mavs shot 24-of-42 FG (57.1%) and 9-of-15 from 3 (60%). Additionally there was a balanced scoring start as Dallas boasts five non-Kyrie players with five-plus points in Green (9), Wood (9), Hardaway (8), Bullock (6) and Bertans (6).

Davis at the half had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Although not on a productive stretch, the Mavs survived overtime vs. the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. It's safe to say the challenge is elevated on Friday night, as the Lakers have had the league's top defense since the trade deadline.

Battling a James-less Lakers squad isn't as easy as it seems, as Davis has proven to wreak havoc on Dallas' shaky frontcourt depth. In the Mavs' morale-crushing loss to the Lakers on Feb. 26, where they gave up a 27-point lead, Davis scored 30 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, one steal and three blocks.

Although behind the Mavs all year in the standings by one game, the Lakers would've tied Dallas with a victory on Friday night. Every game is a must-win for the duration of the season, but we said going in the Mavs must treat this contest like a play-in tournament game. Extra emphasis and urgency is needed.

Heres’s something to consider for those clamoring for a late-season tank job: even if the Mavs miss the playoffs, the pick must fall in top-10 range or it will go to the New York Knicks. There's no point in falling out of the playoff race at this point, especially if the Mavs must bank on luck. Having that pick convey to the Knicks would also open up more trade possibilities for Dallas this upcoming summer.

With Irving playing, then Dallas will naturally have a good shot at winning this one.

Mavericks vs. Lakers Injury Report

Dallas Mavericks 

  • Luka Doncic (OUT - thigh)
  • Tim Hardaway Jr. (QUESTIONABLE - calf)
  • Kyrie Irving (QUESTIONABLE - foot)
  • JaVale McGee (QUESTIONABLE - ankle)
  • Markieff Morris (QUESTIONABLE - knee)

Los Angeles Lakers

  • LeBron James  (OUT - foot)
  • Mo Bamba (OUT - ankle)
  • Anthony Davis (PROBABLE - foot)

RECORDS: Dallas Mavericks (35-35), Los Angeles Lakers (34-36)

WHEN: Friday, Mar. 17, 2023, at 9:30 p.m. CT

WHERE: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)

TV: NBA TV, Bally Sports Southwest

RADIO: 97.1 The Freak

ODDS: The Lakers are 5.5-point favorites over the Mavs.

UP NEXT: The Mavericks play the Memphis Grizzles at the FedExForum on Monday, Mar. 20, at 7:00 p.m. CT.

LAST WORD: Reportedly, the Lakers are no longer interested in Irving's services in free agency. Now with that in the open, the All-Star guard no longer has to deal with questions regarding a potential reunion with his fellow 2016 NBA champion James, at least in Los Angeles. However, in light of the Mavs' past free agency woes and Irving's constant change of scenery, the final decision is still in progress. ... though his 38-point effort here seems like a good add to the Dallas resume.

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Lance Roberson
LANCE ROBERSON

Writer at DallasBasketball.com and Def Pen Hoops. Founder of Culture Surfing podcast.

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