Lakers 101, Mavericks 81: Kobe Bryant had 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists as host Los Angeles dealt a severe blow to Dallas’ postseason hopes.

Dwight Howard added 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who pulled even with idle Utah for eighth place in the Western Conference. Dallas dropped 2 1/2 games back of the eighth and final playoff spot with eight games to play.

Chris Kaman scored 14 points and O.J. Mayo chipped in 12 points for the Mavericks, who were outscored 31-19 in the second quarter and trailed by 15 at the half. Dirk Nowitzki, who averaged 30 points in his last three games, missed nine of 13 shots and finished with 11 points.

Bryant played 47 minutes and recorded his second triple-double of the season and Earl Clark added 17 points and 12 boards for Los Angeles, which has won nine of the last 10 meetings with Dallas. The Lakers outrebounded the Mavericks 57-37 and held a 44-26 edge on points in the paint.

The Mavericks used an 8-2 run to cut the deficit to 85-78 with 4:33 remaining, but their momentum came to a screeching halt when Nowitzki was called for a technical foul on the Lakers’ next possession. Los Angeles closed the game on a 16-3 run to seal the win.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Lakers PG Steve Nash missed the game with nagging hip and hamstring injuries. … Los Angeles retired the No. 34 jersey of Shaquille O’Neal at halftime. Former Lakers coach Phil Jackson spoke during the ceremony and received a warm reception from the Staples Center crowd. … The Lakers have won 42 of the last 48 matchups against the Mavericks in Los Angeles.