Lakers can’t overcome dip in tourney intensity, fall to Mavs

Well, the In-Season Tournament is over, and so is the Lakers’ four-game winning streak.

It wasn’t all terrible, though. Or at least not as bad as it could’ve been. In fact, the Lakers were able to overcome a 15-point deficit and make a game of it — before ultimately dropping a 127-125 decision to the host Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

This was the first game for the Lakers following their In-Season Tournament title, and they again received a banner performance from their stars. Anthony Davis battled through a groin issue to lead the way with 37 points and 11 rebounds, and LeBron James just missed a triple-double with 33 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Austin Reaves added 22 points.

But it was not to be, as Luka Doncic scored 33 with 17 assists, and the Mavs were able to get things corrected in the nick of time — playing without Kyrie Irving, who missed his second straight game with a bruised foot.

Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times wrote:

“The Lakers, playing without Jarred Vanderbilt who was sidelined by back spasms after a three-game return from a heel injury, didn’t have the same consistent defensive bite that helped them win the in-season tournament, a predictable dip in intensity.

“The Lakers found some life in the second half, the hangover from Las Vegas clearing as James and Davis pushed them back into the game. The two combined for 24 points in the third with Davis’ three at the buzzer — his first triple since Oct. 29 — giving the Lakers a lead heading into the fourth.”

But again, they seemed to spend so much time trying to overcome the deficit that they may have run out of gas.

The Lakers (14-10) play again Wednesday at San Antonio, which is riding a 17-game skid. Coach Darvin Ham told reporters the Lakers will “play it by ear” when it comes to the availability of James, Davis and Vanderbilt, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.