Derek Fisher’s game-winning three-pointer put a pretty ribbon on a workmanlike 73-70 victory for the Los Angeles Lakers over the defending NBA champions the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.
Fisher nailed an arching three to snap a 70-70 tie with three seconds left on the clock on a night Lamar Odom returned to the place of his past glories.
“I’ve seen that before,” Odom told reporters of the winning shot from his former teammate. “We doubled off Kobe and he hit the shot. He’s done that over and over.”
Photo: EPA
Odom, who spent the previous seven seasons in Los Angeles, where he helped the team to two NBA titles before he was traded in the off-season, received a rousing ovation and a video tribute when he took to the court at the Staples Center in the first quarter.
Odom finished with 10 points and the good vibes were fleeting as the crowd watched the Lakers (10-5) stumble through a season-low points total, before overcoming the opponents that swept them out of last season’s playoffs.
Kobe Bryant’s run of four consecutive 40-point games came to a jarring end as he managed just 14 on seven-for-22 shooting, but Andrew Bynum provided a rare bright spot with 17 points and 15 rebounds.
Dirk Nowitzki produced a team-high 21 for Dallas (8-6), who erased a seven-point deficit in the final four minutes to tie the game, but ultimately had their five-game winning streak snapped.
Dallas had been riding their defense on their recent run and they could have extended it, but for some poor shooting.
The Mavs shot just 35 percent for the night, while the Lakers were barely more clinical at 38 percent.
The visitors opened up an advantage by outscoring Los Angeles 16-7 in the third quarter and grabbing a six-point lead early in the fourth.
The Lakers responded with a stretch of their own that put them ahead 66-59 with just four minutes left.
It was short-lived and Jason Terry’s running shot tied the score with nine seconds left, but on Los Angeles’ final possession, Dallas rushed to double-team Bryant and Fisher made them pay with a long three.
“I don’t think that’s ever the plan [for me to shoot the last shot],” said Fisher, who finished with 13 points. “I just try to stay ready to help my team win. This is what I do.”
76ERS 94, BUCKS 82
In Philadelphia, Jrue Holiday scored 24 points and Andre Iguodala had 21 to help the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks and remain unbeaten at home.
Andrew Bogut returned from concussion-like symptoms to lead the Bucks with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
THUNDER 97, CELTICS 88
In Boston, Russell Westbrook scored 26 points, hitting a pair of three-pointers in the final 91 seconds to help Oklahoma City pull away from slumping Boston.
Kevin Durant scored 28 with seven rebounds for the Thunder, who won their seventh consecutive game. Thabo Sefolosha scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, while Kendrick Perkins had seven points and five rebounds in his first game back in Boston since the trade that sent him to Oklahoma City and broke up the starting lineup from the Celtics’ 2008 NBA championship team.
Paul Pierce scored 24 points, while Kevin Garnett had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Celtics. Rajon Rondo added 12 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for Boston.
MAGIC 102, KNICKS 93
In New York, Ryan Anderson scored a career-high 30 points, extending his NBA lead with seven three-pointers, as Orlando completed a perfect four-game road trip.
J.J. Redick added 21 points for the Magic, who won three games on the west coast before finishing in New York.
Carmelo Anthony had 33 points and eight rebounds for the Knicks in his return from a one-game absence with a sprained right ankle, but shot just nine of 27.
CLIPPERS 101, NETS 91
In Los Angeles, Blake Griffin had 23 points and 14 rebounds as the Clippers beat New Jersey without injured point guard Chris Paul after blowing an 18-point lead.
Chauncey Billups scored nine of his 20 points in the final 4 minutes, 23 seconds — including a clinching three-pointer with 1:09 left.
MarShon Brooks led New Jersey with 19 points and eight rebounds. Deron Williams finished with 14 points and six assists.
Monday’s other results:
‧ Grizzlies 102, Bulls 86
‧ Rockets 114, Wizards 106
‧ Cavaliers 102, Bobcats 94
‧ Trail Blazers 84, Hornets 77
‧ Hawks 93, Raptor 84
‧ Timberwolves 99, Kings 86
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