- (Sports Network) - Pau Gasol had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and converted a critical three-point play with 23.1 seconds remaining, helping the Lakers remain unbeaten with a 106-99 win over the reeling Dallas Mavericks. Kobe Bryant scored 27 points and Andrew Bynum contributed 11 points and 10 boards for the Lakers, who at 6-0 are off to their best start since 2001-02 when they began that season with seven consecutive victories. Their best start is 11-0, in 1997-98.

Trevor Ariza had the go-ahead bucket during an 11-0 run for Los Angeles in the fourth quarter.

Jason Kidd logged his 101st career triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, but the Mavericks fell to 0-3 at home for the first time since 1993-94, when they lost their first 19 home games.

"It is early, but at the same time we need to start getting some wins under our belt," said Kidd. "We can learn from this game and understand that we are not that far off. We just need to stay together and keep fighting."

Dirk Nowitzki was limited to 14 points and eight rebounds on 5-of-17 shooting, and he fouled out in the final minute for Dallas, which has lost three in a row overall and fell to 2-5 this season. Erick Dampier had 11 points and 16 rebounds in defeat.

"Pau's a great player, both at center and power forward, and we knew this matchup would be a good matchup for us tonight," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "Dirk's a great shooter and we were able to contain him at least somewhat, and Pau had a big hand in doing that."

Jason Terry scored 21 points, while Jerry Stackhouse and Gerald Green each had 17 points for the Mavs.

Dallas was ahead 81-76 in the early stages of the fourth quarter, but the Lakers responded with the ensuing 11 points. Lamar Odom's driving layup tied the game, but he missed the free throw. Ariza chased down the loose ball in the right corner, broke free and jammed with two hands to give the Lakers the 83-81 edge. Bryant and Gasol followed with baskets.

"It was big for us because they were beating us the whole game pretty much," said Ariza. "We made a run early in the fourth and we kind of buckled down from there."

Ariza's three-point play expanded LA's lead to 97-89 with just under five minutes remaining before Dallas rallied, getting within 99-97 on a Dampier free throw with 2:49 left.

Dallas, though failed to tie or take the lead, as Stackhouse missed a jumper and Nowitzki was off the mark on a three-pointer. Ariza blocked a Stackhouse three-point try in the left corner with under a minute left, leaving a second on the shot clock.

The Mavs never got the shot off, and at the other end Derek Fisher air-balled a jumper, but Gasol was under the bucket, scored and was fouled by Nowitzki. That made it 101-97.

Terry scored on a runner in the lane with 13.6 seconds left, but Fisher hit four foul shots over the final 12.2 seconds to seal the victory.

Ariza finished with 13 points and Odom scored 12 for the Lakers, who forced 22 turnovers.

The Mavericks, who were without forward Josh Howard due to a sprained left wrist, scored 17 straight points in the first quarter to grab a 21-10 lead. It was 35-26 going to the second and Dallas remained ahead, 60-54 at the half. The Mavs continued to hold LA at bay in the third, taking a 79-76 edge into the fourth.

Game Notes

The Lakers, who have won the last four meetings, goes for a 7-0 start Wednesday at New Orleans...Dallas plays at Chicago Thursday...Kidd was 1-of-7 from three-point range...Dampier's 12 offensive boards tied a franchise-high for a game...For the first time this season, all five Mavericks starters finished the game in double figures.



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