LeBron James ended up empty-handed, and a furious rally failed to overcome the Lakers.Mavericks

The Lakers took to the bright yellow court at home on Tuesday to send a signal to fans that this game was special and part of a larger event, an in-season tournament designed to break up the tedium between season openers. Periods energize. and Christmas.

That floor was packed Wednesday as the team played a regular, old-school basketball game for a prize more than half a year away.

Turns out these are pretty good too.

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Facing two of the NBA’s most skilled and dangerous guards in Dallas in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Lakers trailed by 20 points on the second night of a back-to-back game and were in nearly every game. All were defeated in the game. ball.

But the crowd began to swing as the Lakers came back with energy in the second half and they stormed back in the final minute to take the lead.

Irving, often rumored to be a target for the Lakers, hit an open 3-pointer and LeBron James’ pass to Anthony Davis at the rim missed, helping the Mavericks win a thrilling game 104-101.

James had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but his three-pointer in front of the Dallas bench hit the front of the rim.

Doncic and Irving combined for 58 points, including all 13 of Dallas’ points in the fourth quarter, as the Mavericks (10-5) managed to defeat the Lakers (9-7).

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During the comeback, Austin Reeves and James hit key shots, while Davis led the way on defensive rebounds. James scored 26 points, Reeves scored 17 points, but Davis only scored 10 points.

The Lakers got good news as imaging didn’t show a serious groin injury to Cam Reddish, but they still don’t have their best perimeter defense.

It wasn’t until the fourth quarter, when the Lakers led Dallas by 17 points, that the team fully found its footing.

However, the Lakers were held scoreless in the final three possessions, and James missed a pass to Davis and hit two three-pointers.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.