Dallas @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 1, 2019 ) Dallas 114, L.A. Lakers 100

Their sudden four-game losing streak now a thing of the past, the Los Angeles Lakers set their sights on building momentum at home when they open a five-game homestand against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Kyle Kuzma led a balanced attack with 24 points and LeBron James added 21 along with a season high-tying 16 assists as the Lakers picked up a 128-120 win at Portland on Saturday.

Rajon Rondo chipped in 15 points in 18 minutes off the bench as Los Angeles looked much more like the team that opened 24-3 prior to the four-game slide. "We've been in a little dry spell, losing," Kuzma told Spectrum SportsNet after the game. "Great teams just try not to lose two in a row. Unfortunately, we lost four in a row. But got back on track right now and got another tough one tomorrow." The Mavericks cruised to a 141-121 win at Golden State on Saturday behind another triple-double from Doncic, improving to 12-3 on the road. They already have a win at Los Angeles to their credit after picking up a 114-100 victory over the Lakers on the road December 1.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (21-10): Doncic had 31 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds Saturday for his ninth triple-double of the season, two more than James for the NBA lead and tied with Jason Kidd's 1995-96 franchise record for most in a single season. Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 25 points against the Warriors and is averaging 21.3 over his last four games. "It's bigger and bigger when we get good looks," Hardaway told FS Southwest of how large the basket seems to him amid his hot stretch. "Luka does a fantastic job of collapsing the defense and double-teaming the perimeter, going to our big guys in the paint and finding shooters. It's all about collapsing the defense."

ABOUT THE LAKERS (25-7): James remains bothered by ribs and groin issues that caused him to miss a game against Denver recently, but he was his dominant self with just one turnover in 37 minutes Saturday. Kuzma and Rondo were part of a season-high 72-point effort by the Los Angeles bench, which shot a combined 26-of-43 and had four turnovers. Kuzma is averaging 21.7 points in three games since returning from a sprained ankle that robbed him of five contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Mavericks PG Delon Wright is averaging 11.5 points and three steals in 21.5 minutes over the last two games.

2. Lakers C Dwight Howard recorded 11 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots at Portland on Saturday.

3. Los Angeles has won six of the last eight meetings.

PREDICTION: Lakers 111, Mavericks 109