Sports | basketball Nowitzki, Mavs Overpower Kobe, Lakers Bryant's 40 can't revive LA from poor effort in third quarter By Mike Buss Posted Jan 26, 2008 8:17 AM CST Copied Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts to being fouled as he drives past Dallas Mavericks forward Trenton Hassell, right, in the first half of an NBA game in Dallas, Friday, Jan. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (Associated Press) A superior third quarter allowed Dallas to survive a barrage of points by the Lakers' Kobe Bryant late in the game last night, to win 112-105. Bryant, the second-leading scorer in the NBA, dropped in 40 for the second time since teammate Andrew Bynum was injured. Josh Howard and Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 26 points and 10 rebounds apiece. Bryant single-handedly tried to bring LA back in the final period with 16 points but Mavs guard Devin Harris scored two key baskets to clinch it. Bryant struggled on both ends of the floor in the third, making only one shot and playing poor defense as the Lakers dropped their second straight in Texas; they lost Wednesday at San Antonio. Read These Next Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. Trumps ends trade talks with Canada. New York Times ranks the best movies of the 21st century. A man has been deported for kicking an airport customs beagle. Report an error