Dallas, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Monta Ellis nearly matched the entire Lakers starting lineup with 30 points on an efficient 11-of-14 from the floor as the Dallas Mavericks downed Los Angeles, 123-104, from American Airlines Center.
Ellis added a season-high nine assists in the triumph, while the five Lakers' starters combined for just 32 points. Pau Gasol led the group with 10.
"Monta is a great scorer," said Mavs forward Jae Crowder, "but he's a great passer as well. When he drives to the lane he collapses the defense so much and always makes the right pass to the open man."
Crowder chipped in 18 points off the bench and DeJuan Blair filled the stat sheet with 10 points, eight boards, four assists and five steals while providing tough interior defense.
"It was fun out there tonight," said Blair. "The Lakers knowing what they do, trying to get the ball to Pau (Gasol) and I'm so low that I can get him so it was pretty fun."
Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki had 11 points apiece as Dallas remained undefeated at home in three tries.
Nick Young, who started the first three games of the season for LA but was demoted to the bench for Xavier Henry for its last two, led the Lakers with 21 points on 8-of-12 from the field. Jodie Meeks and Jordan Farmar each scored 11 points.
The Lakers never led.
"You can't get blown out and then think now we need to learn to win," said Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni. "No, we need to learn how to play. We're not playing right now."
The Mavs finished the first quarter on an 11-4 surge, which included a deep triple from Vince Carter and consecutive finishes at the rim by Blair. Dallas held the Lakers to 9-of-24 from the field in the frame and led 35-22.
Meeks cut the deficit to 37-27 with a reverse layup early in the second period but the Lakers never saw single digits. Ellis found Blair for a layup on the ensuing Dallas possession then Gal Mekel drilled a jumper on a feed from Nowitzki.
Ellis and Nowitzki scored the final 10 points in the period for the Mavericks, who extended their lead to 19 at the break.
Jose Calderon's triple capped a 12-5 surge midway through the third period following a Steve Nash 3-pointer gave Dallas its biggest lead of the season at 30 points.
Farmar helped the Lakers cut it to 94-77 after three, but Mekel scored five straight early in the fourth to secure the lead.
Game Notes
Dallas outscored LA 52-36 in the paint ... Lakers' forward Ryan Kelly made his NBA debut and scored three points in 3:02 minutes on the floor ... Mekel and Calderon had six and five assists, respectively.
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