Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points and the Dallas Mavericks held off a late rally by the winless Los Angeles Lakers for a 103-93 victory on Sunday night.
This is the first time in franchise history the Lakers have started 0-3 in consecutive seasons. They lost their first five games last season and ended up with their worst record ever (21-61).
The Mavericks opened the game with a 15-0 blitz that included two 3-pointers each by Wesley Matthews and Nowitzki -- the latter has made more 3-point shots than any 7-footer in league history (1,580). The Lakers missed their first five shots before Julius Randle's dunk with 7:13 left in the first quarter.
Randle posted his second consecutive double-double with 22 points and 15 rebounds.
Kobe Bryant had 15 points on 3-of-15 shooting.
