Houston – Before the direct duel on Friday, the Dallas Mavericks have consolidated their table position in the US basketball league NBA ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers.
After the last three defeats, the team around national player Maxi Kleber won 137:128 at the San Antonio Spurs after overtime and thus has one win more than the Lakers in tenth place in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the NBA record champion around national team captain Dennis Schröder lost 110:114 to the Houston Rockets and suffered a setback against one of the weakest teams in the league.
The Mavs had to do without their two stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving for the third game in a row, the best thrower was Christian Wood with 28 points. Kleber recorded three points. In addition to LeBron James, who had been injured for weeks, the Lakers also missed Anthony Davis, who was rested. Without the two, the Lakers were only behind after their first basket. Austin Reaves was the best man for Los Angeles with 24 points, Schröder had 16 points.
The Lakers and Mavs both want to finish at least sixth to qualify directly for the playoffs. If the teams remain in ninth and tenth place, they will meet in the first round of the play-in. The teams from place seven to ten determine two further playoff starters.
