The Los Angeles Lakers made a furious fourth quarter comeback to take a one-point lead in the final minute, but a last-second tip-in by Antonio McDyess gave the San Antonio Spurs an 89-88 win at Staples Center. The Lakers outrebounded the Spurs on the night 44-38, but after two free throws by Pau Gasol gave the Lakers a one-point lead, the Lakers could not secure a rebound on the Spurs' final possession.
Manu Ginobili missed a three-pointer with 11.9 seconds remaining, but McDyess grabbed the board, dishing it to Tony Parker, who missed a patented seven-foot runner in the lane. Ron Artest had a chance to grab the rebound for the Lakers, but he lost the ball out of bounds. After a timeout, the Spurs ran a play for Tim Duncan on the right block, and Duncan shot and missed a 17-foot shot. But McDyess was there to tip the ball in, with video replays clearly showing his hand off the ball by the 0.1-second mark at the clock. The officials reviewed the play, but it was clearly good, clinching another Lakers loss to an elite team this season.
The Lakers are 0-3 at home against the top three teams in the league -- the Spurs, Celtics, and Heat -- and they also have a road loss to the Spurs as well. The Lakers embark on a seven-game road trip which begins Saturday in New Orleans, and will take them to Boston for a rematch with the Celtics.
Kobe Bryant was an assist away from a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and nine dimes, but he also missed 13 of his 18 field goal attempts. Gasol, who was named a Western Conference All-Star reserve earlier tonight, led the Lakers with 19 points, and grabbed seven rebounds. Parker had 21 points to lead the Spurs, who are off to the best start in franchise history at 41-8. San Antonio is one of 12 teams in NBA history to start a season at 41-8 or better, with the record being 45-4 by the 1966-1967 Philadelphia 76ers.
For more news on tonight's game, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.