Ariza block helps Lakers improve to 6-0 with 106-99 win over Dallas Mavericks

The Lakers actually played a worthy opponent tonight. The Dallas Mavericks gave the Lakers a little scare that they might lose a game, at least I thought so. Kobe Bryant didn't think so, "Nobody panicked," said Bryant, who scored nine of his 27 points in the fourth quarter. "We just kept at it."

The Mavericks had a 35-26 lead after the first quarter. They than had a 60-54 lead at the half. By the end of the third quarter they still had a 79-76 lead. Panic? Oh no, Kobe said they didn't panic and it sure paid off.

The Lakers took the lead in the fourth quarter but it was still a close game as Dallas trailed 99-97 in the final minutes of the game. Nowitzki passed up a potential tying shot, giving the ball to Stackhouse instead, who missed. After a defensive stand, Nowitzki shot an airball on a 3-pointer. After yet another defensive stop, Nowitzki passed to Jerry 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 wound up with a shot clock violation, then Pau Gasol scored a three-point play on the other end to seal the victory.

"It was a phenomenal block," Bryant said. "He's just a tremendous athlete. Our bench was incredible. That's the kind of team we have. We pick each other up. They came in and gave us a huge boost."

The Mavericks had six players score in double digits in the game and were led by Jason Terry's 21 points. Nowitzki had 14 points and Stackhouse had 17. Jason Kidd recorded a triple double by scoring 16 points, getting 11 rebounds and dishing out 10 assist.

Kobe led the lakers with 27 points, Gasol had 22 points and Bynum had 11. Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza helped off of the bench. Odom had 12 points and Ariza had 13 points including the critical block late in the fourth.

The Lakers are 6-0 to start a season for the first time since the 2001-2002 season which was the last time they won the NBA championship.

Tomorrow the Lakers battle New Orleans. Should be a great game!