NBA Playoffs 2011: 5 Reasons the Mavericks Took out the Lakers in Game 1

As Dirk Nowitzki goes, so go the Dallas Mavericks.

And on Monday night in L.A., Dirk was fantastic as Dallas grabbed a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series.

While the Mavs came out strong early, leading by two at the end of the first quarter, the Lakers came back to outscore Dallas 30-19 in the second quarter.

But the Mavericks didn't give up. They closed the gap to seven points at the end of the third quarter and then outscored the two-time defending champs 25-16 in the final period.

Here are five reasons why the Mavs beat the Lakers in Game 1.

5. Lakers' Three-Point Shooting

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the second half while taking on the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2011 at Staples Center in Lo

Kobe was 4-for-9 from beyond the arc.

The rest of the Lakers were 1-for-10.

While Ron Artest (pictured) will never be confused for being a lights-out three-point shooter, he usually is better than 0-for-3 from downtown.

On the season, Los Angeles shot 36.7 percent from three-point range.

If they keep shooting 26.3 percent throughout the series, the Lakers are going to have a tough time coming out on top against the Mavs.

4. Mavs' Three-Point Shooting

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 26: Peja Stojakovic #16 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts to a missed shot against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on February 26, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

The Mavs shot 9-for-20 from beyond the arc, getting six different players to hit shots from deep.

Jason Kidd hit only two shots all night, but they were both big three-pointers.

Peja Stojakovic (pictured) and J.J Barea each hit two threes off the bench.

3. Dallas' Ball Movement

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PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 23: LaMarcus Aldrdige #12 of the Portland Trail Blazers defends Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2011 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore

The Mavs are loaded with offensive weapons.

And they are most dangerous when they are moving the ball and looking to set each other up to score.

Jason Kidd (pictured) led the way by handing out 11 assists.

J.J. Barea dished out five assists off the bench while Jason Terry and Shawn Marion each added four more. 

2. Mavs Holding the Lakers Under 100

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 02: Shawn Marion #0 of the Dallas Mavericks and Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers go after a loose ball in the second half in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 2,

The Mavericks held the Lakers under 100 points Monday night.

In 21 of 25 of the Lakers' losses during the regular season, their opponent held the Lakers to below triple-digits.

Shawn Marion (pictured) is one of the Mavs' top defenders.

His hustle and toughness is contagious to the rest of Dallas' players on the floor.

Tyson Chandler provides an interior stopper, which is absolutely essential against the Lakers.

1. Dirk

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 02: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots over Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 2, 2011 in Los

The Mavs need Dirk Nowitzki to have a big series against the Lakers.

And Dirk came up big in this Game 1 victory.

He scored 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

But it was Nowitzki's work in the fourth quarter that made the difference.

He scored 11 points in the final period, knocking down two vital free throws in the final seconds of the game.