Watch: Maxi Kleber knocks down a massive buzzer-beater to seal the game for the Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks completed a miraculous comeback with Maxi Kleber's game-winning three-pointer to beat the LA Lakers.
MAXI KLEBER GAME WINNER. 🔥🔥
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Kleber scored only 10 points, but six of them were the biggest in the entire game.
The Lakers looked like they were on their way to a win when they took a 109-105 lead with 7.2 seconds left in the game. Anthony Davis fouled Maxi Kleber, who attempted a 25-footer.
The foul sent the German international on the line and sunk all of his free throws to cut the lead to 109-108. Davis muffed one of his free throws on the next possession before KIeber's heroics ended the game.
It was another sorry loss for the LA Lakers, who dropped their record to 34-37 and 10th in the Western Conference. The defeat also meant that the Mavericks won the season series by 3-1. Should both teams end up in 10th place having the same win-loss slate, Dallas will move on by virtue of an edge in the tiebreaker.
The Dallas Mavericks played without superstar point guard Luka Doncic, who was sidelined with a thigh injury. Doncic has been a thorn in the Lakers' side, particularly in late-game situations.
Without "Luka Legend" in the lineup, it was Maxi Kleber who delivered the dagger shot.
The Dallas Mavericks, however, would not have been in that position to win the game had it not been for Kyrie Irving. "Uncle Drew" was questionable heading into tonight's game with a sore foot.
Irving showed no signs of injury by scoring 20 first-half points. He played brilliantly in the fourth quarter by adding 13 points to lead the comeback.
Dennis Schroder and Wenyen Gabriel double-teamed Kyrie Irving during the last play of the game. The All-Star point guard, however, found Maxi Kleber, who handed the LA Lakers their second straight loss.
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Dallas Mavericks get a leg up on the LA Lakers in the closely-contested race for the playoffs
The Dallas Mavericks inched their record to 36-35 and hold the sixth seed in the closely-contested Western Conference standings. Dallas is now two wins ahead of the LA Lakers (34-37), who are in 10th place.
The Mavericks own the head-to-head series 3-1 over the Lakers, which will give them an edge if they end the regular season with the same record. Dallas has not set a definite time for Luka Doncic's return. He is considered day-to-day as he recovers from a thigh injury.
Every win will be crucial for the Mavericks and the Lakers. Tonight's victory could mean an early offseason or a ticket to the play-in tournament.
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