Click here to Watch Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Lakers Live

                         

Albeit most experts around the NBA thought that things would be easier for the Lakers in their first-round match-up with a shorthanded Hornets team, L.A. ultimately managed to make it to the next round. Looking for a win in the Western Conference semi-finals, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers will play the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on Thursday at 2:30 a.m. GMT.

While the Mavs did not exactly steamroll the Blazers in the first post-season round, Dirk Nowitzki and company still managed to close out the series in six games. One key has been Dallas’ outstanding team defense as they held their opponents to just 88 points per contest. At the other end of the floor, Dirk Nowitzki carried the franchise, averaging 27.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Likewise, Jason Terry and Jason Kidd both stepped up offensively and helped coach Rick Carlisle’s squad down the stretch. That said, the Lakers are a much better overall team than Portland and can be expected to make life difficult for the Mavericks on Thursday night.

You can watch all games of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks right here on www.watchlivenba.com, the home of NBA live streaming.

Posted: 1st April 2011

Considering that Dallas lost former All-Star forward Caron Butler halfway through the season due to a knee injury, the franchise from Northern Texas has certainly done a great of job of staying in the upper echelon of the league. Thus, Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks will face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday at 2:30 a.m. GMT.

Without any doubts, the Lakers have been playing much better basketball since the All-Star break and managed to climb to the second place in the Western Conference, hanging on to a 53-20 record. However, considering that the Mavericks are just one game behind Kobe Bryant and company, coach Phil Jackson’s squad will have to keep up its high level of play in the remaining three weeks of regular season action. One reason for Los Angeles’ improvement as of late has been Andrew Bynum who put up 11.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.0 blocks despite just playing 27 minutes per contest. Likewise, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom have once again been great complements to franchise cornerstone Kobe Bryant. Taking everything into account, fans around the globe can look forward to an exciting match-up between two of the best teams in the NBA on Friday night.

You can watch all games of the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers right here on www.watchlivenba.com, the home of NBA live streaming.

Posted: 31st October 2009

Although the integration of Ron Artest into the Lakers’ squad is still a big question mark, the team around Kobe Bryant is dedicated to make another run at the championship in 2009-10. Thus, the Lakers will host Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on Saturday at 2:30 a.m. GMT.

Where as the Lakers' season opener went well with a 99-92 win versus the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas experienced a setback at home when Gilbert Arenas and the Wizards made their way to Texas. More specifically, the team around Dirk Nowitzki lost 102-91 due to their horrendous interior defense and poor shooting from beyond the arc. Although Nowitzki put up 34 points, very little was going the Mavs' way on opening night.

In contrast, the Lakers looked like a championship contender on Tuesday, even without the sidelined Pau Gasol. So far, Ron Artest played surprisingly disciplined but most likely will be an ongoing project for coach Phil Jackson. Entering the encounter with the Mavs, the absence of Josh Howard might open up things for Kobe Bryant. Although Shawn Marion is as good as anyone in the league when it comes to defending wing players, his assignment to cover Kobe will leave Ron Artest in the hands of rotational wingman Quinton Ross. Likewise, Dallas has yet to figure out a way to defend Andrew Bynum who had an excellent night versus the Clippers as he pulled down 13 rebounds and finished the game with 26 points. Arguably the only favorable match-up for the Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki should benefit from the absence of Pau Gasol and will most likely be covered by Lamar Odom and Luke Walton. Albeit it looks like the Lakers might have an edge over the Mavs, Jason Kidd and company have shown in the past that they can be a difficult obstacle to overcome for any team if their shooters are on fire. Most importantly, Jason Terry and Shawn Marion will have to play up to their potential if Dallas wants to stay in striking distance through out the game.

You can watch all games of the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers right here on www.watchlivenba.com, the home of NBA live streaming.