Lakers 100, Mavericks 89

By JAIME ARON
AP Sports Writer

DALLAS (AP) Going into the fourth quarter, Kobe Bryant had made just one field goal in each period: a layup in the first, a runner from the lane in the second and a jumper in the third.

With Shaquille O'Neal resting, it was time for Bryant to step up. He did.

Bryant hit two jumpers and two layups, the last set up by his own great defensive play, as the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away from the Dallas Mavericks for a 100-89 victory Thursday night.

Bryant scored 10 of his 19 points in the fourth, and O'Neal plowed through a parade of 7-foot defenders for 31 points and 17 rebounds.

``I didn't worry about my offense,'' he said. ``I just kind of waited and turned things up in the fourth quarter.''

In the only other NBA games Thursday night, Atlanta edged Washington 91-89, and Utah beat Portland 93-88.

In beating Dallas for the 43rd time in 48 tries since 1991, the Lakers improved their bid for the fourth, fifth or sixth playoff seeds. Although Los Angeles has won five of six, it's currently holding the seventh spot.

``We're just trying to get more consistent,'' Bryant said. ``That's what you need to get into the playoff mode.''

The loss leaves Dallas just one game ahead of San Antonio in the Midwest Division, with the winner almost certainly getting the top seed in the West.

The runner-up will fall to third because the Pacific champ, likely Sacramento, gets the second seed. That could mean a first-round matchup with the Lakers if they finish sixth.

``It's slipping away,'' said Steve Nash, who led the Mavs with 26 points. ``But we're still on top. The good thing about this situation is we get another shot at the Lakers soon.''

Dallas and Los Angeles meet again Tuesday.

Bryant probably won't get off to such a cold start then.

His first basket came with seven seconds left in the first quarter and his second field goal left him 2-of-10 at halftime. In the third quarter, he took a layup from 4 feet and missed by 3 feet. Soon after, he missed two of three free throws. He finished 7-of-21, including 0-for-4 on 3-pointers, three games after scoring 55 points.

The Lakers also had trouble holding onto the ball. They had eight turnovers in the second quarter, mostly on errant lobs to O'Neal, and four in a row to open the second half.

But the Mavericks failed to capitalize, losing the lead for good with 2:14 left in the third quarter.

``We missed a lot of shots we normally make,'' said Dallas' Nick Van Exel, who scored 19 points. ``We had good looks, but we didn't hit them.''

Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points and 22 rebounds, one below his career high. He later had his pinky finger X-rayed; there was no break. That's good news for the Mavs considering Michael Finley went on the injured list before this game because of a hamstring injury that's bothered him for two weeks.

``Other guys now have to step up and play well, but it's more important for Mike to get healthy for the playoffs,'' Nowitzki said.

The game was intense and physical from the start, just like the playoffs.

O'Neal whacked Nowitzki in the face and Raef LaFrentz plucked the ball from Bryant's hands as he was going for a layup all before the first basket.

After Dallas got within five in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles began pulling away again. Then O'Neal stripped Nowitzki on a fast break and Nowitzki went tumbling into cameramen. When no foul was called, Mavs coach Don Nelson came onto the court to protest and was ejected.

``Our poise and character showed,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.< ^Hawks 91, Wizards 89=

At Atlanta, Shareef Abdur-Rahim made a desperation shot at the buzzer to give the Hawks the victory over Washington and Michael Jordan, playing in the city for the final time.

Jordan struggled most of the game before leading a frenetic comeback. He scored 12 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, and also had a season-high 14 rebounds.

It wasn't enough. After Jordan missed a potential winning shot, the Hawks rebounded, called a timeout and were given six-tenths of a second to get off the decisive shot.

Abdur-Rahim finished 24 points.< ^Jazz 93, Trail Blazers 88=

At Portland, Ore., Karl Malone had 21 points and nine assists, and John Stockton added 15 points and 10 assists for Utah.

Matt Harpring had 17 points, including a 3-pointer with 17.1 seconds left that sealed the victory for the Jazz, who have won seven of eight and are within two games of the Blazers and Minnesota for the fourth playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Rasheed Wallace led the Blazers with 23 points.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)