LeBron reaches assist milestone as Lakers beat Mavericks

FILE – Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James reacts after making a 3-pointer during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James became the ninth player in NBA history to reach 9,000 assists and Anthony Davis scored 23 points as the Los Angeles Lakes defeated the Dallas Mavericks 108-95 on Sunday night.

James — who turns 35 on Monday — reached the milestone with 4:35 remaining in the first quarter when he fired an outlet pass to Davis three-quarters of the way down the court for a dunk. It was one of 13 assists on the night for James as he finished with 13 points.

👑👀 @KingJames passes 9,000 career AST with 13 dimes in the @Lakers win! pic.twitter.com/0hN4y5M1UG

— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2019

Davis was 8 of 12 from the field in his 26th game this season with 20 or more points. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added a season-high 19 points, including four 3-pointers, and Dwight Howard scored 15. All of Howard’s points came in the second quarter.

Luka Doncic led Dallas with 19 points but struggled from the field one night after recording his ninth triple-double of the season. The second-year guard shot 5 of 14 and missed all six of his 3-point attempts. Delon Wright came off the bench to score 14.

Doncic got to shake hands with Lakers great Kobe Bryant courtside after the game.

Los Angeles — which won two straight after a four-game losing streak — led most of the way. It was up 35-31 midway through the second quarter before going on a 12-2 run to take control. The Mavericks committed four turnovers during the spurt which led to seven Lakers points, including a pair of dunks by Howard.

The Lakers’ largest lead was 17 midway through the third quarter.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Dallas shot a season-low 30.4% from the field during the first half (14 of 46).

Lakers: It was the 25th time in Howard’s 15-year career that he scored 15 or more in a quarter. The last time was March 21, 2018, for Charlotte against Brooklyn when he put up 19. … Los Angeles is 4-0 during road/home back-to-back games.

UP NEXT

Mavericks: Travel to Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

Lakers: Host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.