Nowitzki reaches NBA milestone, but Lakers top Mavs

Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki became the 34th player in NBA history to score 20,000 points, but his effort wasn't enough to help Mavericks hold off Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers.

Germany's Nowitzki reached the milestone with a 14-foot jumper from the left baseline with 10:57 remaining. The basket gave him 20,001 points, and it pulled Dallas to 78-75.

The 31-year-old Nowitzki was playing in his 876th NBA game.

Drafted for his potential as a seven-footer with the ability to score from outside, he has won the league Most Valuable Player award and taken the Mavericks to the NBA finals.

On Wednesday, however, Bryant and the Lakers had just a little too much for Dallas.

Bryant, who struggled with a sore back in his previous game, drained the go-ahead jump shot with 28 seconds left as the Lakers defeated the Mavericks 100-95.

Bryant played only nine minutes in the first half and wasn't a factor. He scored eight points in the third quarter, but made only one of his four shots in the final period. It was, however, one that mattered as he fired over Josh Howard to give the Lakers a 97-95 lead.

Erick Dampier missed a pair of free throws for Dallas that could have tied the game.

Andrew Bynum made one of two free throws for the Lakers, who then double-teamed Nowitzki and forced him to pass, leaving Josh Howard to take a wild shot.

Bynum finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds, Lamar Odom had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Ron Artest had 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Lakers ended a three-game road losing streak.

The Mavericks lost their second straight, despite Howard's contribution of 18 points in his first start since November 11.