Mavericks Vs. Lakers: Kobe Bryant Out, L.A. Still Wins In OT

ANIMATED/PHOTO: Coach Kobe Helps Lakers To Victory

Mavericks Vs. Lakers Final Score: Los Angeles Gets 112-108 OT Win

For the Los Angeles Lakers, no Kobe Bryant hasn't been much of a problem. The Lakers got their fourth win in five games without their star on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks, winning 112-108 in overtime.

The Lakers benefited from a truly strange opening overtime sequence. Matt Barnes got a bucket despite maybe being out of bounds, then Pau Gasol hit a three that Barnes seemed to touch as it was going in, and then Gasol hit another three for good measure. Gasol's eight points led the Lakers in overtime, and gave him 20 for the game.

Ramon Sessions had 22 points for the Lakers, and Andrew Bynum contributed 23 points and 16 rebounds, but Metta World Peace's 18 points included a three late in overtime that sealed the victory.

Dirk Nowitzki got 24 points on 9-for-28 shooting for the Mavs, and Jason Terry added 21, but Terry missed a potentially game-tying layup with seconds to go in overtime.

For everything you need to know about these two teams, visit Lakers blog Silver Screen and Roll, SB Nation Los Angeles, Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas.

Lakers Vs. Mavericks, OT: Teams Head To Extra Hoops Tied At 98

The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers couldn't settle their matchup of the last two NBA champions in 48 minutes. So the two teams will head to overtime at the Staples Center, tied at 98-98.

Jason Terry had eight fourth-quarter points for the Mavericks, including the last five of the quarter, to help Dallas rally back after losing a lead that stretched to as many as six points in the period. Terry has 18 points in the game, as does Delonte West, but Dirk Nowitzki, who had seven points in the fourth quarter, leads the Mavs with 19 points despite a pitiful 8-for-26 performance from the field and a miss at the horn on a potential game-winner.

The Lakers missed a potential game-winner late, too, with Ramon Sessions' jumper falling short, but Sessions' 22 points lead all scorers, and Andrew Bynum's 15 rebounds are the most by any player who has seen the floor.

For everything you need to know about these two teams, visit Lakers blog Silver Screen and Roll, SB Nation Los Angeles, Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas.

Lakers Vs. Mavericks: Los Angeles Leading Without Kobe Bryant After Three

The Los Angeles Lakers are without Kobe Bryant in their Western Conference grudge match with the Dallas Mavericks this Sunday. But thanks to Metta World Peace's offensive explosion, the Lakers held a 76-75 advantage after three quarters.

The Laker formerly known as Ron Artest, who started the 2011-2012 season ice-cold from the field, has 16 points to lead the Lakers, and heads up four Lakers starters in double figures. Andrew Bynum's strong play of late has slowed a bit, with him making just five of 18 shots from the field in the first three periods, but he's among the double-figure scorers, with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Dallas has a surprising scoring leader, too: Delonte West's 16 points pace the Mavericks. And the second guy is strange, too, thanks to Jason Kidd's 13 points, which he added to six assists. Dirk Nowitzki's having a day much like Bynum's, hamstrung by 5-for-17 shooting and stuck on 12 points.

For everything you need to know about these two teams, visit Lakers blog Silver Screen and Roll, SB Nation Los Angeles, Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas.

Kobe Bryant Ruled Out For Sunday's Game Vs. Mavericks

Head coach Mike Brown confirms that Kobe Bryant will not play today against the Mavs.

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 15, 2012

This is the fifth game in a row that Bryant has missed with a bruised shin. The Lakers have 3-1 in his absence, though, protecting their one-game lead over the Clippers in the Pacific Division and maintaining their hold on the No. 3 playoff seed in the West.

For everything you need to know about these two teams, visit Lakers blog Silver Screen and Roll, SB Nation Los Angeles, Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas.

Mavericks Vs. Lakers: Potential Playoff Preview Likely Won't Include Kobe Bryant

The Los Angeles Lakers are 3-1 this season without Kobe Bryant, which is good news considering they're expected to be without him against the Dallas Mavericks Sunday afternoon. The Lakers and Mavericks would face each other in the first round of the playoffs if the season ended today as the No. 3 vs. No. 6 match-up, but the Clippers are just one game behind the Lakers in the standings, and if there's one lower-seeded team the Lakers would want to face less than the Mavericks, it's probably the Grizzlies (the current No. 5 seed).

Without Kobe, Andrew Bynum, who hasn't had the easiest of seasons mentally, has stepped up to prove he's capable of handling the go-to burden for long stretches. Without Bryant, Bynum had a game with 30 rebounds against the Spurs and followed it up with a 30-point, eight-rebound, three-block performance against the Nuggets last night. Both games were wins, and are crucial in ensuring Bryant recovers fully from his shin injury and the Lakers are no worse for the wear.

The Mavericks, on the other side of the coin, have been struggling of late, despite jettisoning the dead weight that was Lamar Odom earlier in the week. They've won their past three games against weak competition -- the Kings, Warriors and Blazers -- but haven't performed up to snuff against tougher teams since March. Dirk Nowitzki has been playing well, and Brandan Wright's energy has helped, but they're just 20th in the league in scoring, and against a Laker team that can do nothing if not defend, that's not a good formula. The Mavs' defense has been its strong suit, a good indicator that playoff success could once be on the horizon, but they need to start beating good teams again to really instill confidence. A Sunday win against the Lakers would do something to further that cause.

For everything you need to know about these two teams, visit Lakers blog Silver Screen and Roll, SB Nation Los Angeles, Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas.

Mavericks Vs. Lakers: Schedule, TV Info And More

The Dallas Mavericks visit the Lakers at Staples Center Sunday afternoon in a potential preview of the 3-6 match-up in the Western Conference playoffs.