Trevor Ariza provides offensive energy for the Lakers

Forward Trevor Ariza gave the Lakers the jolt they needed, his boost of energy helping them pull out a 114-107 victory over the Mavericks at Staples Center.

Ariza had a season high in points (15) and field goals made (seven). He took only 12 shots, and had five rebounds, three assists, one blocked shot and one steal.

"I guess I'll start with the fact that he made a lot of tough shots tonight, which really isn't something we rely on him to do," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. "But he was able to get the ball in the lane, make the tough shots after he got the ball in the spot where he could convert. He made a number of open shots that were important to us to have at that time of the game."

Ariza took all of his shots in the second half.

He entered the third quarter with 9:48 left for Vladimir Radmanovic and never left the game.

The Lakers trailed by 12 points when Ariza went to work.

His put-back dunk and a layup got the Lakers started.

"I just took the shots that were open," Ariza said. "They were playing off me and I was open and I was shooting."

Ariza made four of seven shots in the fourth quarter, including one of two from three-point range. He had nine points in the fourth.

"The court is opening up to me," Ariza said. "They have to double other players, which leaves me most of the time one-on-one with somebody. I believe my first step is quicker than a lot of people and I've been able to get to the basket."

Ariza also is known for his defense.

At times, Jackson had Ariza defending Dallas guards Jason Kidd and Jason Terry.

"He's the kind of ballplayer you want to have on a small guard," Jackson said. "He has the length and the quickness on him."

Ariza spent the summer working on his game, particularly his jump shot.

And it has showed.

He is shooting 49% from the field, 34.8% from three-point range.

"He's worked really hard on his shooting," Jackson said. "I think that Trevor's been comfortable with the fact that he's got to shoot the ball. He knows he has to shoot the ball, but his first instinct has always been to drive the ball. We worked with him on the fact that there are shots that you've got to take in this game. You're not always going to get to the basket."

When the Mavericks trimmed the Lakers' lead to five points in the fourth, Ariza drove the lane and made a six-footer.

When the Mavericks made another run and closed to within five points again in the fourth, Ariza responded with a 22-foot jumper and then a three-pointer that increased the Lakers' lead to 10 points.

"He worked really hard over the summer and you can see it," teammate Lamar Odom said. "He contributes in so many ways on the court. Tonight it happened be on the finishing end."

Turner is a Times staff writer

broderick.turner@latimes.com