The Dallas Mavericks (36-35) defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (34-37) Friday night at Crypto.com Arena with a buzzer-beater from Maxi Kleber, who had missed his two previous attempts from beyond the arc.
Lakers big man Anthony Davis missed a late-game free throw that would have changed everything for the Purple & Gold.
Dennis Schroder backs teammate Anthony Davis after Lakers loss
Davis, 30, missed one of two free throws to make it a 108-110 Lakers lead with 6.7 seconds left to play in the final frame. He also left Kleber wide open on the final possession of the game.
Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving assisted Kleber on the game-winner and led all scorers with 38 points on a night that Luka Doncic missed due to injury.
Irving, 30, shot 14-for-23 from the field, 5-for-9 from deep, and added a half-dozen rebounds and assists.
Mavericks stay atop Lakers, struggling West
Beating LA gives Dallas the No. 6 seed due to several other results also benefiting head coach Jason Kidd and company.
The Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers all lost their respective matches Friday.
Lakers drop to the No. 10 seed, but are only two wins removed from clinching a playoff spot without having to go through the play-in tournament.
Davis led the Lakers in scoring with 26 points against the Mavericks, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a two-game skid. LeBron James remains without a timetable to return from injury.
