The Dallas Mavericks (15-8) lost to the Los Angeles Lakers (14-10) on Tuesday in what looked like a game that wasn’t on the schedule. They then made chicken salad at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks’ 127–125 win is their second this season against the Lakers, who are now the NBA champions. It might be their best win so far this season.

The win makes me wonder if your little Dallas Mavericks aren’t really the winners at the end of the day. Late in the fourth quarter, Dante Exum and Tim Hardaway Jr. led a 10–3 run that put the game just out of reach for LA. The cherry on top was Dončić’s signature throw to rookie star Dereck Lively II, who scored a highlight-reel slam with 2:30 left to play.

Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., Josh Green, and Mаxi Kleber were all hurt and couldn’t play, so Luka Dončić once again became a hero. Doesn’t it get old? It was a bad thing that Irving came to the game on crutches and a boot, but coach Jason Kidd said before the game that Irving was “feeling better.” For what it’s worth.

Dončić and Hardaway scored 65 points together to help Dallas win, making it four games in a row that they have done that. Dončić scored 30 points or more in his eighth straight game.

For the win, Dante Exum scored 26 points (7-of-9 from 3-point range) and Grant Williams scored 19 points (5-of-7 from 3-point range).

The Mavericks вєαт the Lakers by 21 points at the 3-point line and got 30 or more points from both LeBron James and Anthony Davis. What started out as a blowout in the first half turned into the most important Mavs win this year down the stretch.