DALLAS, March 19 (UPI) -- Steve Nash scored 30 points and a trio of defenders forced Kobe Bryant into an awful game as the Dallas Mavericks rolled Tuesday night to a 114-98 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers to gain a split of their home-and-home series.
At the trading deadline, Dallas acquired scorers Nick Van Exel and Raef LaFrentz in a seven-player deal with Denver, hoping to challenge two-time defending champion Los Angeles for the NBA title.
Sunday in Los Angeles, the Mavs battled the Lakers to the final minute but lost, 105-103, as Lakers forward Robert Horry hit a clutch 3-pointer. It was Dallas' 41st loss to Los Angeles in the last 44 meetings, including three this season.
The venue shifted to the American Airlines Center and the momentum moved to the Mavericks, who took control in the third quarter as Dirk Nowitzki scored 11 of his 19 points in a decisive run.
The key to the win was the defense on Bryant. Averaging 26 points per game, the All-Star guard was limited to just 12 on 4-of-18 shooting as he was hounded by Adrian Griffin, Greg Buckner and Michael Finley.
Shaquille O'Neal had 32 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who had a five-game winning streak snapped.
