Mavericks rally late to defeat the Lakers, 100-93

The Lakers played the Dallas Mavericks well for almost 42 minutes, holding a six-point lead with 6:35 left in the fourth quarter, but soon fell apart down the stretch in a 100-93 loss on Sunday at Staples Center.

Dallas, which had lost two in a row on the road, went on to score 11 unanswered points to pull ahead by five. Jordan Clarkson’s free throw ended a desolate four-minute stretch for the Lakers, but Monta Ellis went on to score the next five points, putting Dallas up nine and matching the Lakers’ biggest lead earlier in the game.

Ellis finished with a game-high 31 points, hitting five of seven shots from three-point range. His teammates converted just four of 19 (21.1%) from behind the arc -- but it was enough to get past the Lakers. Dallas outscored the Lakers, 25-16, in the final quarter.

Carlos Boozer scored 17 off the bench to lead the Lakers, after Coach Byron Scott promoted Jordan Hill, Tarik Black and Wesley Johnson to the starting lineup. Robert Sacre, Ryan Kelly and Boozer were moved the bench. Sacre didn’t play on Sunday, a coach’s decision.

Jordan Clarkson and Wesley Johnson both added 15 for the Lakers. Wayne Ellington scored 13 while Ed Davis contributed 10 points and eight rebounds.

The Lakers shot 46.3% from the field as a team but only 14.3% from three-point range (2 of 14). The Mavericks shot 48.7% and 34.6%, respectively.

Former Clippers forward Al-Farouq Aminu gave the Mavericks an important boost off the bench in the fourth, finishing the game with 13 points, six steals and three blocked shots.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 12, while Chandler Parsons, back from an ankle injury, added 11. Rajon Rondo dished nine assists to go along with eight points.

Devin Harris (hand) didn’t play. The Lakers were without Nick Young (knee), Ronnie Price (elbow), Kobe Bryant (shoulder), Julius Randle (knee) and Steve Nash (back).

The Lakers held a 47-33 rebounding advantage, with a 15-6 edge on the offensive glass.

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 16-46. They’ll next host the Detroit Pistons (23-39) on Tuesday night at Staples Center. The Mavericks (41-24), holding onto sixth place in the Western Conference, will return home to host the Cleveland Cavaliers (40-25), also on Tuesday.

Lakers 77, Mavericks 75 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers pulled ahead by nine points in the third before Monta Ellis and the Mavericks closed the gap to two by the end of the quarter.

Ellis led all scorers with 23 points, while Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons added nine apiece. Dallas shot 48.3% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range (7 of 21).

Wesley Johnson made six of eight shots to lead the Lakers with 15 points. Jordan Clarkson scored 14 points with six rebounds and four assists. Carlos Boozer gave the Lakers 12 points off the bench.

The Lakers shot 50.8% from the field but only 22.2% from behind the arc (2 of9).

Dallas turned the ball over just five times, while forcing the Lakers into eight miscues. The Lakers held a 36-25 rebounding advantage.

Lakers 44, Mavericks 44 (halftime)

The Lakers led early by as many as five points while Dallas held a six-point advantage in the first quarter, but by halftime the score was tied.

Eight different Lakers scored, led by Wesley Johnson and reserve Ed Davis with eight points apiece. The Lakers shot 43.5% from the field and held a 28-19 rebounding advantage.

Chandler Parsons was the game’s leading scorer with nine points while Dirk Nowitzki added seven for the Mavericks, who shot 45.9% from the field.

The Lakers turned the ball over five times; Dallas had just four miscues.

Mavericks 25, Lakers 24 (end of first quarter)

The Mavericks pulled ahead by five points but the Lakers closed the first quarter with back-to-back baskets to trail by just a point heading into the second quarter.

Coach Byron Scott started Tarik Black, Jordan Hill and Wesley Johnson on the front line instead of Robert Sacre, Carlos Boozer and Ryan Kelly.

Hill led the Lakers with six points. Jordan Clarkson had four points, four rebounds and three assists for the Lakers, who shot 48.0% from the field.

Dirk Nowitzki scored seven to pace the Mavericks, who shot 52.6% from the field.

Dallas shot seven free throws (making four, 57.1%) while the Lakers didn’t get to the line in the period.

Pregame

The Lakers (16-45) look to end a four-game losing streak on Sunday night, hosting the Dallas Mavericks (40-24) at Staples Center.

Davin Harris (hand) and Chandler Parsons (ankle) may return to action against the Lakers.

Nick Young is out with a knee injury. The Lakers will play without Ronnie Price (elbow), Kobe Bryant (shoulder), Julius Randle (knee) and Steve Nash (back), all done for the season.

For an in-depth breakdown, check out check out check out Preview: Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks.

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