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Mavs go for LA sweep, face Lakers

Apr 4, 2014 - 2:43 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Dallas Mavericks will try to dispose of the other Los Angeles team when they take on the Lakers Friday at Staples Center.

The Mavericks opened a four-game road trip with Thursday's 113-107 victory over the talent-laden Clippers and were led by Dirk Nowitzki's 26 points and 11 rebounds. Jose Calderon and Vince Carter scored 19 and 16 points, respectively, for Dallas, which shot 50 percent and made 14-of-29 3-pointers.

Monta Ellis and Samuel Dalembert scored 12 points apiece in the win.

"A great win," said Mavs coach Rick Carlisle. "Our guys showed a lot of character. We held on. We have to have all of our guys playing well. Great team win."

Dallas was coming off a franchise-record eight-game homestand (4-4) and has alternated results over the past nine contests.

The Mavericks were playing their first road game since March 16 and will also visit Sacramento and Utah on the trek. They are 20-17 away from home and seventh in the Western Conference -- just a half-game in front of both Phoenix and Memphis. The Mavs are 1 1/2 games behind Golden State.

Los Angeles has dropped two in a row, four of five and eight of its last 11 games. In Wednesday's 107-102 setback at the Kings, Jodie Meeks led the way with 21 points, Jordan Hill added 18 and 15 rebounds and Nick Young scored 17 points.

Kent Bazemore rounded out the double-digit scorers with 14 points for the Lakers, who shot 39 percent for the game and held a 32-11 advantage in fast- break points.

"They should be taking these opportunities to get better and try to get some wins," Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni said.

The Lakers have won three of their last four home games and are 14-23 as the host this season. Injuries have been a major issue for the disappointing Lakers and hope to get some reinforcements Friday. Pau Gasol (vertigo), Xavier Henry (wrist/knee), Chris Kaman (calf) and Steve Nash (ankle) are questionable.

L.A. has dropped the first two meetings with Dallas this season, but is 9-3 in the previous 12 games in this series. The Mavericks have never swept a season series with the Lakers.

The Lakers are 104-34 all-time against the Mavericks and 56-12 at home.