San Antonio, TX (Sports Network) – In what many considered to be a Western Conference Finals preview, the Los Angeles Lakers made an emphatic statement behind 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists from Kobe Bryant in a 99-83 whipping of San Antonio at the AT&T Center that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated.
Pau Gasol totaled 21 points, six boards and five assists while Lamar Odom supplied 15 points and six assists for the Lakers, who have won seven straight since the All-Star break. LA has also held four consecutive opponents to less than 90 points.
Gary Neal provided 15 points off the bench while Tony Parker and George Hill netted 14 points apiece for the Spurs, who had a 22-game home win streak snapped. San Antonio dropped to 29-3 with its first loss on home hardwood since a November 26 setback to Dallas.
Tim Duncan made just 1-of-7 shots in matching a season-low with two points and Manu Ginobili added only six points after a 3-of-10 shooting effort.