Lakers Don’t Take Mavericks Lightly : Pro basketball: After two losses against weak teams, L.A. doesn’t let down against Dallas, 114-85.

The Lakers have been motivated when they play the elite teams in the NBA, but they have struggled against lottery teams this season.

The first team this season to defeat both Chicago and Portland, the last season’s NBA finalists, the Lakers are 5-2 against teams that made the playoffs last season.

However, they lost two of their first three games against non-playoff teams, losing to Sacramento and New Jersey at the Forum.

“We tend to get up against big teams; and the weaker teams, because we’re at home we think it’s an easy game and we don’t come out the way we would against a Chicago, a Portland, a New York or a big team,� guard Sedale Threatt said before Sunday night’s 114-85 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, the NBA’s worst team, before 13,855 at the Forum.

“I think we kind of take the lesser teams lightly, and they’ve got good ballplayers. I think after the Portland win, the first thing everyone in the locker room said was that we’ve got to crush the weaker teams and play the same way we play Portland and Chicago.�

Sunday night, the Lakers didn’t take the Mavericks lightly, leading by 16 points at the end of the first quarter, by 25 at halftime and by 38 at the end of the third quarter as they handed Dallas its sixth consecutive loss.

It was the Lakers’ most lopsided victory ever over Dallas. They had scored a 25-point victory over the Mavericks on Jan. 29, 1989, and it was also the fewest points the Lakers have given up in a game this season.

“Just think what would have happened if they would have had Byron Scott (sidelined because of a foot injury) out there, it would have been even worse,� Dallas forward Terry Davis said.

Laker broadcaster Chick Hearn put the game in the refrigerator at halftime. Hearn probably could have done it after the Lakers held the Mavericks to 12 points during the first 12 minutes.

Center Vlade Divac, who had 20 points in 15 minutes, made eight of nine shots. He had 15 points during the first half, making seven of eight shots.

Divac brought a smile to the face of Magic Johnson, who was seated courtside, when he flipped a no-look behind-the-back pass to set up Tony Smith for a layup.

Forward A.C. Green had 17 points and 14 rebounds in a reserve role and rookie guard Anthony Peeler had 15 points. Elden Campbell had 10 points and nine rebounds.

“One thing that we talked about a lot early and it’s been a real encouraging sign is the inspirational play of A.C. Green,� Laker Coach Randy Pfund said.

“Last year, A.C. started 53 games for us and we asked him to come off the bench again this year. He’s a very special talent and a very important player to this team. Tonight, even though it was a lopsided score, you saw a continuation of how hard he plays. That’s something this team really needs.�

The third-youngest team in the NBA, the Mavericks came into the game ranked last in the NBA in scoring defense, field goal percentage and field goal defense. They have lost nine of 10 games this season.

And they played down to their reputation, shooting 39.6% as the Lakers held them to their lowest point total of the season. Guard Derek Harper missed eight of 10 shots and forward Doug Smith missed 10 of 15 shots.

Laker Notes

Guard Byron Scott sat out his fifth consecutive game because of a sprained right foot. Scott, who was injured during the Lakers’ 105-102 victory over Golden State on Nov. 15, had played in 170 consecutive regular-season games. . . . Rookie guard Anthony Peeler of the Lakers, who made 116 three-point shots during his college career at Missouri, the second-highest total in school history, leads the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.667). Peeler has made eight of 12 three-point shots this season. Scott set the Laker record for three-point field goal percentage when he shot .436 in 1986-87. . . . The Lakers will open a three-game trip Tuesday in Sacramento. The Kings ended a 43-game losing streak at the Forum, spoiling the Lakers’ home opener with a 124-112 victory on Nov. 8.