Lakers’ Jordan Farmar ties career high against Mavericks

It has been building, finally reaching a career moment for Jordan Farmar.

His minutes had increased over the last two games with the Lakers. His production was better in those games. His coach even seemed to have more faith in him in those games.

Then came the third consecutive game in which Farmar continued his stretch of impressive play, his 24 points that tied his career high another shining moment for the fourth-year guard during the Lakers’ 131-96 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night at Staples Center.

“That’s what I’ve been working for. I’ve been trying to get more opportunities,” Farmar said. “And when I get the chance, I have to play well. I did it tonight and I have to earn more. That’s what I’ve been working toward my whole career. I’m just trying to stay patient, wait my turn and when those opportunities come, be ready to capitalize.”

When the Lakers played the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, Coach Phil Jackson used Farmar for 25 minutes.

Jackson entrusted Farmar with heavy minutes late in the game because the Warriors played so many guards.

Farmar responded with 12 points and five assists.

In the game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday, Farmar played 19 minutes and was solid.

He played a little over 27 minutes against the Mavericks.

Farmar was eight for 14 from the field. He was an astounding six for eight from three-point range.

That kind of work meant that Farmar -- and not Kobe Bryant -- led the Lakers in scoring.

“He got a run-out early in the game. I think it always helps when he gets something easy,” Jackson said. “He’s much more willing to shoot the ball. . . . Jordan was on fire tonight off the bench.”

Farmar began to put in work in the second quarter, when he scored eight points.

By the half, he had 12 points and had played over 12 minutes.

“I got a chance to play a little longer,” Farmar said. “[Derek] Fisher got two early fouls and . . . I got to the free-throw line and I got to see the ball go in and feel my stroke. I got some good looks and I was able to knock them down.”

Farmar was into the game, cutting to the basket to accept passes.

“Kobe told me to just be ready when I cut through the middle,” Farmar said. “He hit me with a sweet pass. I told him that was one of the best passes I’ve ever seen him make. It was right through the middle of the zone.”

When asked what happened on his dunk attempt late in the fourth quarter, Farmar smiled.

He stole the ball but missed a two-handed dunk after making the play.

“I took off a little too far,” Farmar said. “If I could palm the ball like Shannon [Brown], I could have stretched out. But I had to use two hands and I couldn’t make it. That cost me my career high. ‘Lay the ball up, son.’ ”

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