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Mavs, Lakers battle in LA

Apr 12, 2015 - 1:04 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Dallas Mavericks will try for three consecutive victories Sunday night when they visit the Staples Center to meet the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Mavs knocked off the Phoenix Suns at home on Wednesday, then hit the road and survived a double-overtime thriller against Denver on Friday. Dallas emerged victorious, 144-143, to start a three-game road trip, which ends Monday in Salt Lake City.

Raymond Felton's layup with 1.5 seconds left was the difference for Dallas. Five of Felton's 11 points came during the second extra session, and the Mavericks survived blowing a 21-point halftime lead as well as a career-best 47-point eruption from Denver's Danilo Gallinari.

Dirk Nowitzki added 25 points and nine rebounds for the Mavericks, already locked into the No. 7 playoff seed in the Western Conference. Richard Jefferson scored 24 and Devin Harris netted 21 on 7-of-9 shooting.

"It's most interesting meaningless game I've ever seen," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said.

Gallinari's final two points came via two free throws that staked Denver to a 143-139 lead with 2:16 remaining in the second overtime. Felton knocked down a straight-on 3-pointer on the other end, however, and the Nuggets came up empty on their next three possessions before Felton beat Randy Foye off the dribble, charged to the hoop and put the ball in with his right hand.

Dallas played without point guard Rajon Rondo (rest) and forward Chandler Parsons, who missed a third straight game due to a swollen knee.

The Lakers snapped a five-game losing streak on Friday with a 106-98 victory at home over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ryan Kelly had 21 points and seven assists to lead Los Angeles. Tarik Black posted a career-high 18 points and 10 rebounds, Jabari Brown tallied 20 points and seven assists and Jordan Clarkson added 18 points, nine helpers, six boards and four steals for the Lakers.

"We made it pretty clear to our guys that there is still something to play for, not the playoffs or anything like that, but just pride and just being a professional and a competitor. That's the bottom line," Lakers coach Byron Scott said.

Clarkson finished off a 20-7 swing in the third quarter with a dunk to extend LA's margin to 72-54. They were up 80-71 after three and were never threatened in the fourth.

The Lakers finish the season with a home-and-home series with the Sacramento Kings.

The Mavericks have won six straight over the Lakers.