San Antonio Spurs hand Los Angeles Lakers their worst loss of the season – NBA Recap
The San Antonio Spurs travelled to the Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Lakers, and were led by Tony Parker to hand the Lakers their worst loss of the season, winning 112-91.
Tony Parker scored 29 points and had 13 assists to lead the Spurs to a comfortable victory. Andrew Bynum had 21 points and 7 rebounds for Los Angeles. The Spurs broke the 4 game winning streak of the Lakers and solidified their
position at the top of the Western Conference, 0.5 game ahead of 2nd placed Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers played without Kobe Bryant, who missed his sixth straight game due to a shin injury, and are now only half game ahead of the resurgent neighbours L.A Clippers.
The first quarter was quite balanced between the two teams, involving 6 lead changes. The Lakers snatched a one point lead at the end, off a free throw by Andrew Bynum. The 2nd quarter was gripping affair initially,
but then the Spurs went on a hot streak.
San Antonio went on a 18-0 run, in which six Spurs players scored, including Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Los Angeles had 5 turnovers during that run. The Spurs ended the run with a jump shot by Duncan to lead 57-41. They ended
the half leading by 63-47 and were 17 of 24 from the field in the 2nd quarter.
The Spurs continued their offensive assault to begin the 3rd quarter, scoring 7 straight points before L.A put their first points on the board, and extending their lead to 70-47. The Lakers did not have an answer to
the Spurs offense, who scored at will. San Antonio went into the final quarter leading 91-70. The lead was too much for Los Angeles to swallow or chip away, and San Antonio went on to eventually win the game 112-91.
Tony Parker was 14 of 20 from the field for his 29 points. Tim Duncan had 19 points and 8 rebounds, going 9 of 14 from the field. Manu Ginobili added 15 points to cap off a good night for the Spurs “Big Three”. Danny Green added
11 points off of 3 of 4 shooting from beyond the arc, while Gary Neal gave the Spurs depth by scoring 10 points coming off the bench.
Andrew Bynum had 21 points and 7 rebounds while Pau Gasol added 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for the Lakers. Metta World Peace had 11 points and Matt Barnes came off the bench to score 16 points and grab 6 rebounds, while shooting
6 of 11 from the field.
The Spurs shot an amazing 59.5% from the field and 38.9% from the three point line. They were, however, only 5 of 11 from the foul line. The Lakers were 11 of 11 from the free throw line but 2 of 10 from beyond the arc and at 48.8%
from the field, were no match for the Spurs. Both teams had the same number of rebounds and Spurs had one more assist at 29. The Lakers committed 19 turnovers while the Spurs contained their turnovers to 12.
With this victory, the Spurs now have 19 road wins and are tied with OKC for the 2nd best away record in the league, Chicago having the best with 22 away wins. Kobe is expected to sit the Lakers next game against Golden
State as well on Wednesday, as coach Mike Brown wants him well rested for the playoffs.
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