Five takeaways from the Lakers’ 92-90 loss to the Dallas Mavericks

The Lakers (9-38) lost their sixth straight game, falling to the Dallas Mavericks (26-21) on Tuesday night. Here are five takeaways from the Lakers’ 92-90 defeat at Staples Center.

1. The young Lakers went toe-to-toe against the veteran Mavericks, despite playing without Kobe Bryant (shoulder). The deciding play was the offensive foul call on Lou Williams, putting an arm into J.J. Barea.

While the replay showed that Barea seemed to also pull Williams’ arm into his own chest, followed by a flop, Williams did extend and make contact.

The officials called multiple offensive fouls throughout the game, arguably too many, so it wasn’t much of a surprise that Williams was called for it.

2. The Lakers left Julius Randle isolated defensively on Dirk Nowitzki with the score tied 90-90 and the clock running down.

Jordan Clarkson said the Lakers had intended to double team Nowitzki on the dribble, but the play happened too quickly and with 2.1 left on the clock, the NBA’s former most valuable player drilled the game winner.

3. The Lakers final play didn’t seem to work as designed. The team looked somewhat confused, but Randle did get an open look from three-point range. It just didn’t fall.

As the players came off the floor dejectedly, both Metta World Peace and Bryant came off the bench enthusiastically encouraging the team’s developing prospect

According to Randle, Bryant told him he got a good look.

World Peace told The Times that he was proud of Randle for taking the shot, make or miss.

“He has to be shooting that,” said World Peace.

4. The Lakers dominated the boards, with a 47-35 advantage.

Randle led his team with 11. Larry Nance Jr. returned from a four-game absence from a sore knee to collect seven.

The Lakers only held an 8-5 edge on the offensive glass, but dominated the defensive boards 39-30.

5. The Lakers are still in last place in the Western Conference, better than just the Philadelphia 76ers (7-39).

The Lakers are 12 games behind the eighth-place Portland Trail Blazers (21-26).

Looking ahead to the 2016 NBA draft lottery, the Lakers would have a 55.8% chance of a top-three pick in next June’s draft. If the Lakers fall below third in the lottery, Philadelphia will get the team’s pick as part of the Steve Nash trade, via the Suns.

If the Lakers climb spot in the standings, their lottery odds for a top-three selection will dip to 46.9%.

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