Dallas ? When Shaquille O’Neal’s massive forearm whacked Dirk Nowitzki’s face 15 seconds after tipoff, then Raef LaFrentz snatched a reverse layup from Kobe Bryant’s hands on the next possession, it was obvious the intensity level of this Lakers-Mavericks game was high.

Advantage, Los Angeles.

L.A. Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal (34) is fouled by Dallas forward Eduardo Najera during the first period. The Lakers beat the Mavericks, 100-89, Thursday in Dallas.

O’Neal and Bryant knew exactly how to respond in this emotional, physical showdown and carried Los Angeles to a 100-89 victory Thursday.

“When we play like that, we can compete with anyone,” said O’Neal, who went through a parade of 7-foot defenders for 31 points and 17 rebounds. “We needed this game and wanted this game.”

Bryant went from making three field goals over three quarters to scoring four quick ones early in the fourth. That let the Lakers cruise to their 43rd victory over the Mavericks in 48 meetings since 1991. This also was the first meeting since Los Angeles erased a 27-point fourth-quarter deficit.

“We approached this as a big game and wanted to win. We accomplished that,” said Bryant, who had 10 of his 19 points in the final period. “We’re not in playoff shape yet, but we’re getting there and we’ll get there.”

Los Angeles, which has won five of six, gained a game on Portland, which lost to Utah. The Lakers are chasing the fifth and sixth playoff seeds; at No. 6 they could wind up facing Dallas in the first round if the Mavs slip to No. 3.

Dallas’ lead over San Antonio is down to one game in the Midwest Division and the chase for the top seed in the West.

Nowitzki had 25 points and 22 rebounds, one shy of his career high, and Steve Nash had 26 points. Dallas was missing the third member of its Big Three as Michael Finley went on the injured list before the game because of a bad hamstring that’s already kept him out two weeks.

“I thought we played a good game,” Nowitzki said. “We’re not afraid just because we lost a game.”

Hawks 91, Wizards 89

Atlanta — Michael Jordan played another farewell game in Atlanta. This time, he was upstaged by Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

Abdur-Rahim, who finished with 24 points, made a desperation shot at the buzzer to give the Hawks a victory.

Jordan scored 12 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, and also grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds.

Jazz 93, Trail Blazers 88

Portland, Ore. — Karl Malone had 21 points and nine assists, and John Stockton had 15 points and 10 assists for Utah.

Matt Harpring added 17 points for the Jazz, who have won seven of eight and are within two games of the Blazers and Minnesota for the fourth playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Rasheed Wallace led the Blazers with 23 points.