LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki were born just two months apart in 1978, and they've both been NBA superstars for over a decade.

They've won one league MVP award apiece, and Bryant has only a slight edge in career scoring averages and total All-Star appearances.

Nobody would ever compare Nowitzki with Bryant in the metrics  that matter most, however. In championships, in big-game performances, Dirk can't match up with Kobe.

After Nowitzki and his Dallas Mavericks thoroughly outplayed Bryant's Lakers down the stretch in the opening game of their second-round playoff series, Nowitzki's teammates think this might be the season their German 7-footer raises his game to fit this stage.

Game 2 is Wednesday night at Staples Center.

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