Washington - revor Ariza turned an offensive rebound into an emphatic, go-ahead dunk early in the fourth quarter and Kobe Bryant quickly stretched the lead, sending the Los Angeles Lakers to a 106-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. Ariza's basket put Los Angeles up for the first time since the opening minutes, then Bryant began stretching the lead with a one-handed rebound-dunk on the next possession. Soon after, he scored seven straight points and the Lakers held off the Mavericks down the stretch to improve to 6-0 for the first time since going 7-0 to open 2001-02, their last championship season. Despite being without Josh Howard - their second-best scorer, co-leading rebounder and a top defender - the Mavericks came out with the fire star Dirk Nowitzki criticized them for lacking in their previous game. They scored a season-best 35 points in the first quarter and a season-best 60 in the first half, but couldn't keep up the pace, scoring just 39 the rest of the way.

Jason Kidd got the 101st triple-double of his career with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and Erick Dampier tied a franchise record with 12 offensive rebounds. Ironically, it was Nowitzki who let Dallas down, fouling out with 14 points on 5-of-17 shooting. He was 1-of-9 in the second half and didn't score after the opening minutes of the third quarter.

Bryant scored 27 points, most coming during a 30-9 spurt from late in the third quarter to the middle of the fourth that turned things around for Los Angeles. This was the first time all year the Lakers trailed going into the fourth. This was the most points they'd allowed all season and it matched their slimmest margin of victory.

Dallas cut it to 99-97 in the final minutes, but Nowitzki passed up a shot, giving the ball to Jerry Stackhouse, who missed. After a defensive stand, Nowitzki shot an airball on a 3-pointer. After yet another defensive stop, Nowitzki passed to Stackhouse in the corner and Ariza came flying in to swat a 3-point try out of bounds with 1 second left on the shot clock.

The Mavs couldn't get a shot off in time and the Lakers finally made them pay. Pau Gasol caught an airball by Derek Fisher and made a 2-footer. Nowitzki fouled out on the play and Gasol hit the free throw with 23.1 seconds left. Dallas was out of answers after that.

Gasol had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Andrew Bynum had 11 points and 10 boards. Ariza scored a season-best 13 points and Lamar Odom finished with 12.

The Lakers will try to improve to 7-0 on Wednesday night in New Orleans against Chris Paul and the Hornets.

Howard missed his second straight game with a sprained left wrist. Gerald Green started in his place and keyed the strong start with eight first-quarter points before going to the locker room with a split lip. He had big dunks to open the third and fourth quarters, and finished with 17 points.

Jason Terry scored 21 and reserve Stackhouse added a season-high 17 points. Dampier had 11 points and 16 rebounds. ^

Notes:

Bryant is 23 points shy of Larry Bird on the career scoring list. ... This was the 1,400th career game as a coach for Los Angeles' Phil Jackson, a milestone reached by only 12 others. He is 982-418, the highest winning percentage in league history. ... Terry missed a pair of free throws in the third quarter. He was 23-of-25 from the line all season until then. ... This was Kidd's fourth triple-double against the Lakers. ... Dampier had eight rebounds in the third quarter. Eight rebounds was his game high coming in.



Written By JAIME ARON

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