Lakers guard Kobe Bryant provided guidance to Dallas guard Wesley Mathews as he rehabbed from a left Achilles tendon (photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles News Group)

DALLAS — After missing the past two games because of back soreness, Kobe Bryant showed enough improvement to start when the Lakers (1-7) visit against the Dallas Mavericks (4-4) on Friday at American Airlines Center.

“He said he felt ready to go and felt fine and wanted to give it a try,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said. “Obviously I’ll keep a close eye on him.”

Scott reported that Bryant told him that his “back feels lose.” He also did not have any lingering affects from having an upset stomach on Thursday evening. Through six games this season, Bryant has averaged only 16.5 points per game on a career-low 32 percent from the field and a 20.8 percent clip from 3-point range in 29.2 minutes per game.

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