NEW YORK: Forward Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers for the eighth consecutive time, rolling to a 103-93 victory Sunday night at Staples Center.
Centre Zaza Pachulia added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavericks (2-1), who had six players score in double figures.
The Mavericks had three of their starters return. Forward Chandler Parsons (right knee surgery) made his season debut, while guard Deron Williams (left knee sprain) and Wesley Matthews (rest) returned from one-game absences.
Parsons was ineffective, compiling two points, three rebounds and three assists in 11 minutes. Williams finished with 11 points and eight assists, while Matthews had 10 points. Guard Raymond Felton also scored 11 for Dallas, and guard J.J Barea came off the bench to chip in with 10 points and seven assists.
Forward Julius Randle finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Lakers (0-3). Forward Kobe Bryant had 15 points on 3-of-15 shooting, while reserve guard Lou Williams scored 13.
Dallas hit 46 per cent of its shots from the floor, while Los Angeles made just 36.5 per cent.
Despite their struggles in the first half, the Lakers, who began the game in a 15-0 hole, were only down 54-45 at intermission.
They managed just 30.2 per cent shooting compared to 43.8 per cent for the Mavericks. Dallas also connected on nine of 17 (52.9 per cent) three-pointers to four of 16 (25 per cent) for Los Angeles before the break.
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