The Mavericks came to Staples Center this week having never beaten the Los Angeles Lakers in a road playoff game. Now they'll head back to Dallas with a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points, as the Mavericks upended the Lakers, 93-81, putting a damper on a possible three-peat for Kobe Bryant and Co.
Coming off a 96-94 comeback win on Monday, the Mavs pulled another surprise on the Lakers Wednesday. J.J. Barea came off the bench to score eight of his 12 points in the final quarter. Shawn Marion contributed 14 points and nine rebounds in the win.
This is the first time the Lakers have lost the first two games of a playoff series at home since 1977 when Portland beat them in the Western Conference finals. The Blazers won the title that year.
Bryant scored 23, but the Lakers missed their first 15 three-point tries and ended 2-of-20 from beyond the arc. Andrew Bynum tallied 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Pau Gasol totaled 13 and 10 boards.
A frustrated Ron Artest, who had 11 points, was ejected in the game's final minute after clothes-lining Barea with a hit to the head.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven set is Friday in Dallas.
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