Howard has missed six of the first 15 games of the season -- he sat out two games earlier in the season with a sprained left wrist -- equaling the total number of games he missed all of last season.

"I'm very eager," Howard said. "I've just got to get my foot together first and make sure I come back at full strength."

Against the Lakers, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle started Antoine Wright at small forward and Gerald Green at shooting guard, choosing to sit forward James Singleton, who had disappointing performances starting in place of Howard in the previous two games.

Howard sprained his left ankle two weeks ago at Charlotte and has been day-to-day ever since. Howard has participated in non-contact portions of practice and shootarounds, but only he knows when he'll be able to return. The Mavs hope he'll be back Sunday at Sacramento.

"It'll be his call," Carlisle said. "We obviously need him badly, but we can't put him out there until he's right. Otherwise, it's a situation where we potentially perpetuate the problem, and the season's too long to do that."

LAKERS 114, MAVERICKS 107: The Mavericks couldn't hold a 12-point third-quarter lead as the Lakers quickly rallied in the final three minutes of the quarter with a 13-0 run that expanded to 19-0 into the fourth quarter. Kobe Bryant led the charge with 35 points after scoring just 12 in the first half. Jason Terry led the Mavs with 29 points and five assists. Jason Kidd knocked down four more 3-pointers for 12 points and 11 assists, and Dirk Nowitzki had 19 points and 12 rebounds.