The Los Angeles Lakers remain consistent in their 100-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. What that means is they have lost yet another game due to their inability to hold on to a late lead in the fourth period.

Byron Scott went with a new starting lineup for this game, replacing Robert Sacre, Carlos Boozer, and Ryan Kelly with Tarik Black, Jordan Hill, and Wesley Johnson. Kelly was given 23 minutes off the bench, scoring just two points on 0 for 4 shooting. Sacre did not play at all, while Boozer played 25 minutes.

The Lakers were keeping pace in the first half, going into halftime tied at 44. They even came out playing well in the third quarter, as they outscored the Mavericks, 33-31. This was the second consecutive game that the Lakers outscored their opponent in the third.

However, Monta Ellis, who only had five points at halftime, exploded for 18 points in the third quarter, including four three-point makes, but his team was still down two heading to the fourth quarter.

In the final period, the Lakers built a 90-84 lead, but Al-Farouq Aminu started taking over defensively and changed the complexion of the game. The versatile forward came away with two steals and a block in less than one minute to immediately bring his team back.

Afterward, Ellis started taking charge offensively once again, adding eight more points to his total to finish with a game-high 31 points to go with three assists and three rebounds on 12 of 22 shooting from the field and 5 of 7 from threes. He bounced back in a big way after scoring just six points against the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.

Aminu’s defensive energy was also key to Dallas’ victory in this one. The 24-year-old posted 13 points, five rebounds, six steals, and three blocks. He was definitely a game changer, as his fine play allowed Rick Carlisle to give his veteran Dirk Nowitzki much needed rest.

Chandler Parsons made his return after a seven-game absence due to an ankle injury. He scored 11 points and corralled six rebounds in 35 minutes of play. Nowitzki was the only other Maverick in double-figures with 12 points.

The most interesting part of this game was that the Lakers actually out-rebounded the Mavericks, 47-33, and had 15 offensive rebounds to only six for Dallas. The Lakers also had 12 fast break points compared to only three for the Mavericks, and they outscored Dallas, 46-30, in the paint. However, Los Angeles committed 16 turnovers compared to Dallas’ eight, and ultimately turnovers were the difference in this game.

Most of the Lakers’ turnovers came late in the game when the Mavericks tightened their defensive screws. As usual, the Lakers were rattled by the pressure defense and were unable to hold on to their fourth quarter lead. This has become a common theme for them since they are extremely young and inexperienced and do not have a veteran closer. The Mavericks finished the game on a 16-3 run to grab a crucial victory.

Dallas owns a half game lead over the seventh seeded San Antonio Spurs and is virtually tied with the fifth seeded Los Angeles Clippers.

The Lakers are on the brink of officially being eliminated from playoff contention. They dropped to 16-46 on the season and are one loss from being eliminated. The Lakers have also now lost six straight games to the Dallas Mavericks.

L.A. was led by the 17 points and eight rebounds of Carlos Boozer off the pine. Jordan Clarkson and Wesley Johnson each put in 15 points. Clarkson also added five assists and six rebounds. Ed Davis brought his usual energy, posting 10 points and eight rebounds in just 19 minutes. Meanwhile, Wayne Ellington chipped in 13 points and five rebounds.

The Lakers were awful from the three-point line, hitting just two threes in 14 attempts. The Mavericks hit 34.6 percent of their triples, as they were a plus-21 from that distance.

The Mavericks have an enormous game coming up at home on Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Lakers will remain in Los Angeles to host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.