Lakers 110, Mavs 82

Sure, the news coverage will focus on Jason Terry's knockdown of the Lakers' Steve Blake and the fracas that followed with the game all but decided in the early minutes of the fourth quarter tonight at Staples Center. But what shouldn't be overlooked in the Lakers' eighth consecutive victory and their 16th in 17 games since the All-Star break is how they thumped the Mavericks. They did it with a stifling defense that limited Dallas to 11-for-41 shooting (26.8 percent) in the second half. They did it by outscoring the Mavericks, 56-31. It remains to be seen if they will be at full strength for Friday's game against the Utah Jazz. Blake and teammate Matt Barnes were ejected as were Terry and teammate Brendan Haywood. Terry drew a flagrant-2 foul for shoving Blake to the court with both hands. The league will review the video before the Lakers tip off against the Jazz.