Mavs Beat Projections, Stun Lakers on Election Night

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the night as favorites, projected to beat the Dallas Mavericks comfortably. Of course, the game still had to be played, but LA entered the night with a perfect 3-0 record at home and facing a 1-5 Dallas Mavericks team.

LA was projected to win easily against a shorthanded Mavs' team.

In the first quarter, the Lakers got off to a big lead thanks to a fast start from Nick Young, who made his first four shots and scored LA's first 13 points. Then, the second quarter came around, and Dallas caught up.

Halfway through the contest, LA suddenly trailed, as Harrison Barnes led the Mavs' rally. But LA was only down four points at the intermission, so the home crowd still held out hope that their team would pull out the expected victory, even if it was a bit closer than expected.

The third quarter seemed like both teams gained ground, but Dallas held onto its lead and even extended it slightly. The LA crowd grew nervous.

Now, the Lakers needed a fourth quarter comeback to win. This wasn't the expectation entering the night, but it was the reality facing LA on Nov. 8, Election Day.

For the final, futile 12 minutes, the Lakers inched closer, but Dallas continued to score points and hold onto its lead. Down the final stretch, the Mavs took a 99-91 lead when Wesley Mathews hit a three-pointer with 4:27 to play. Save for the loud music and clapping Lakers' cheerleaders, a pin drop could be heard at Staples Center. The crowd was stunned, as defeat approached.

LA never truly threatened from that point forward. By the final buzzer, the majority of crowd had already cleared out. The result had long been decided. How could the Lakers lose to the 1-5 Dallas Mavericks sans star forward Dirk Nowitzki and starting point guard Derron Williams?

Yet, that's what happened. The Lakers lost on Election Night.