LeBron James scored 29 points as Lakers beat Mavericks 114-113

LeBron James scored 29 points and made the game-winning free throw with 2.1 seconds left on the clock as the Los Angeles Lakers held on for a 114-113 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.

Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a 3-point basket next to Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Los Angeles. [Photo: AP]

The Lakers nearly led throughout and were up 111-98 with 3:42 to go before the Mavericks went on a 15-2 run to pull even with seven seconds remaining. Luca Doncic tied it at 113 on a jumper from the corner, but James was fouled by Wesley Mathews during a jump shot.

James missed the first free throw but made the second, and the Lakers (3-5) stopped a two-game skid.

JaVale McGee added 16 points and 15 rebounds, and Kyle Kuzma scored 18 for the Lakers.

Matthews led Dallas with 21 points and Harrison Barnes scored 19. The Mavericks (2-6) have lost five straight.

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) dribbles around Dallas Mavericks' Dorian Finney-Smith, center, as JaVale McGee (7) sets a screen during the second half of an NBA game on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Los Angeles. [Photo: AP]

The Lakers scored the first eight points and led by 18 in the first quarter as they went 15 of 23 from the field and made six 3-pointers.

Dallas trimmed the margin to 66-59 by halftime. Matthews' driving bank shot pulled the Mavericks to 70-64 before the Lakers went on a 17-4 run, which included 10 points by James to open their largest lead at 87-68 with 4:40 remaining in the third quarter.

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, left, high-fives teammates after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA game on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Los Angeles. [Photo: AP]