Spurs-Lakers Preview

By BRETT HUSTON
Posted Apr 11 2011 5:17PM

When the Los Angeles Lakers picked up their ninth straight win on the first day of April, it was becoming apparent they - and not the reeling San Antonio Spurs - had emerged as Western Conference favorites.

Five consecutive losses later, that's a title even Phil Jackson can't endorse.

The Lakers look to snap their longest losing streak in four years Tuesday night against the visiting Spurs, who will try for a fifth straight win that would put them a step closer to ensuring home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

San Antonio (61-19) has had the West's best record all season, but from the All-Star break through April 1, Los Angeles had played like the conference's top team.

The Lakers won 17 of 18 - including a 99-83 road rout of the Spurs - to pull to within 1 1/2 games of San Antonio for the West's No. 1 seed, but five straight defeats have erased that possibility. After Sunday's 120-106 home loss to Oklahoma City, Los Angeles could now finish as low as fourth.

"The measure of success is what you've just recently accomplished, it's not what's been accomplished in the past or what we did post All-Star break," Jackson said. "So, for right now we're back into the middle of the pack playing basketball."

The Lakers (55-25) haven't lost this many in a row since a seven-game skid March 2-15, 2007. Perhaps more importantly, though, they've had a total of two three-game slides in their five championship seasons since Kobe Bryant's been in Los Angeles. They've had four alone in 2010-11.

"I think we started to actually look ahead and look above as opposed to just kind of staying in the present," guard Derek Fisher said. "We lost that step and it's tough to get it back when you're playing against professionals. We'll go back to work and get ready to try and win a game on Tuesday night."

Bryant admonished the Lakers for playing "horrible defense" after Sunday's loss, but they've been excellent on that end against the Spurs despite losing two of three. They've held San Antonio to 39.9 percent shooting, though they've shot just 41.7 percent themselves.

Tony Parker has averaged 19.3 points in the series, but Los Angeles has done an outstanding job against Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan. Ginobili's been held to 9.7 points per game while shooting 28.2 percent, and Duncan has totaled 12 points and missed 21 of 26 shots in the three games while dealing with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

While the Lakers are struggling, San Antonio has bounced back from six consecutive losses with four victories. It's shot a combined 59.2 percent in the last two, with Richard Jefferson's 20 points leading six double-figure scorers in a 111-102 win over Utah on Saturday.

Two more victories would guarantee the Spurs home-court advantage throughout the postseason, though if they lose once and Chicago wins out, it'll come down to a random draw.

Still, San Antonio seems as concerned with staying healthy as the league's best record.

"We've played this well all season long. We'd love to finish at the top of the NBA," Duncan. "We're going to try to do the best of managing minutes, winning games and all that stuff ... at the same time, so we'll see what happens."

The Spurs have been sharing the ball lately, averaging 24.3 assists in the four straight wins - 6.3 more than during the six-game skid.

When San Antonio has at least 22 assists, it's 42-1.

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Lakers snap 5-game skid, but Andrew Bynum injured

By GREG BEACHAM
Posted Apr 13 2011 2:12AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) Andrew Bynum awkwardly sprawled onto the court, staying down for an uncomfortably long moment. The 7-foot center then walked cautiously to the locker room with more than one teammate staring at his perpetually problematic knees.

The Los Angeles Lakers ended their five-game losing streak Tuesday night.

They'll find out what it cost on Wednesday.

Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, but Bynum hyperextended his right knee in the two-time defending NBA champions' 102-93 victory over the San Antonio Spurs' role players.

The Lakers' hopes for a third straight title might have taken a significant blow when Bynum fell after stepping on DeJuan Blair's foot during the second quarter. Los Angeles' superb low-post defender will have an MRI on Wednesday while the Lakers wrap up the regular season at Sacramento.

Bynum downplayed the injury while walking comfortably out of Staples Center, and the Lakers are cautiously hoping for news that won't derail their playoff run before it begins. Yet it's tough not to assume the worst with Bynum and his rickety 23-year-old knees.

"There's always concern," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who acknowledged Bynum could be out for at least a few games. "We've seen him go down a couple of times that have been debilitating, so there's a concern. It was kind of a freaky play, but they usually are, and that's what basketball is."

Bryant describes the shot-blocking center as the Lakers' most important defensive player, and his absence from the 2008 NBA finals was one reason Los Angeles lost to Boston before winning the next two championship series with Bynum in the middle. Bynum had surgery last summer to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

"He allows us to be the dominant team we're capable of being," said Derek Fisher, who scored 13 points. "It's hard to think about not having him for any significant length of time. It was tough to see. He's so important to what we do, so to even think for a second that he might be out, the impact that would have on him after all of his work, it's tough to deal with in the moment."

Lamar Odom scored 23 points as the Lakers struggled to hold off the Spurs, who rested stars Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker with the Western Conference's top seed already wrapped up.

Pau Gasol had 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Lakers (56-25), who will get the No. 2 seed in the West with a win at Sacramento or a loss by Dallas (56-25).

Gary Neal scored 16 points and Matt Bonner had 13 for the Spurs, whose four-game winning streak ended.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn't worry about falling into a tie with surging Chicago (61-20) for the NBA's best overall record, yet his junior varsity nearly knocked off the discombobulated Lakers, who couldn't breathe easily until Bryant's 3-pointer put them up 96-88 with 2:55 to play.

"I think it showed the character, the heart that we have, and we're a pretty deep team," said George Hill, who scored 11 points. "We tried to give the best effort we could, and that's all you can hope for. All of us thought we could win. That was our whole motive going into the game."

The Lakers hadn't won since April 1, falling apart after a sparkling 17-1 stretch. They still haven't fixed the defensive execution issues that have plagued them this month - but if Bynum's potential absence doesn't get the champs' attention, maybe it can't be got.

"Hopefully he'll be back soon, and we'll get him back at 100 percent and just keep plugging away," said Odom, who scored 21 points in the second half.

Bryant played with a short fuse and a scowl even before Bynum's injury. He earned his 15th technical foul of the season for arguing in the third quarter, picking up a T in his third straight game and moving right to the brink of an NBA-mandated one-game suspension.

Bryant punctuated the tantrum by punching a chair on the bench. If he gets another technical foul in the season finale, the suspension would be for the first game of next season.

If the Spurs and Bulls finish with the same record, every tiebreaker is even, so a random drawing would determine who got homecourt advantage in the NBA finals - a nonexistent concern to Popovich, a four-time NBA champion.

Popovich plans to get Duncan back in the lineup Wednesday night in the season finale at Phoenix.

"It's a back-to-back, and I'd rather play (Duncan) tomorrow and not have such a long time before the weekend," Popovich said. "(The reserves) got some experience. I'm happy with what they did."

The Spurs' patchwork starting lineup included Neal, Hill and Tiago Splitter. The Lakers took an early 10-point lead but couldn't hold it, giving up a 13-1 run and going into halftime tied at 45.

San Antonio took a lead on Danny Green's jumper with 7:28 to play, but Odom's three-point play put the Lakers right back ahead.

NOTES: The Lakers played without backup point guard Steve Blake, who will miss at least two games after contracting chicken pox, and reserve forward Matt Barnes, who rested his sore right knee. ... Veteran C Theo Ratliff appeared in just his second game for the Lakers since Nov. 9, playing 2 minutes. He missed most of the season after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. ... Fans near courtside included Dennis Haysbert and director Adam McKay.

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Spurs-Lakers notebook

By Bryan Chu, for NBA.com
Posted Wednesday April 13, 2011 3:15AM

THE FACTS: First chicken pox. Then a right knee. For the Lakers, this stretch might as well be the plague. Despite snapping their five-game losing streak after pulling out a 102-93 victory against the Spurs, who sat their starters Tuesday at Staples Center, the two-time defending champs are depleted and limping into the postseason.

Andrew Bynum has a hyperextended right knee after stepping on DeJuan Blair's foot. He will have an MRI Wednesday. Lakers coach Phil Jackson uttered the words "couple of games" when asked if Bynum may miss time. Steve Blake has chicken pox, and he is out indefinitely. Matt Barnes has a sore right knee. All three will not play in the regular season finale against the Sacramento Kings. And beyond that is an even bigger question mark.

With the win versus the Spurs, the Lakers (56-25) avoid the No. 4 seed. They could finish with the No. 3 seed if they lose to the Kings, and the Mavericks beat the Hornets. The Lakers can secure the No. 2 seed if they win tomorrow or the Mavericks lose.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Spurs (61-20) rested their key starters, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich wanted his team to stay in rhythm by playing the second of a back-to-back since their first postseason game would be on the weekend. Popovich didn't even consider that his team could lock up homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs if they were victorious in their final two games.

Back to Tuesday's game, Kobe Bryant had a game-high 27 points and Lamar Odom added 23. For San Antonio, Gary Neal tallied a team-high 16 points and Matt Bonner scored 13.

The Lakers led by as many as 10 in the opening minutes of the first quarter, but it was all downhill from there.

Bynum hyperextended his surgically repaired right knee at the 8:11 mark of the second quarter. The Spurs' second unit kept pace with the Lakers starting unit. Bonner sank a late 3-pointer and Ron Artest fouled Richard Jefferson on a floater at the buzzer. Jefferson made both free throws as the Spurs, who shot just 33.3 percent and had no player in double digits in the first half, tied the game, 45-45, heading into halftime.

Little-used Joe Smith and Luke Walton found themselves in the lineup together, a rarity. Bryant picked up his 16th technical foul in the third quarter after arguing an offensive foul with Spurs rookie James Anderson guarding him.

San Antonio's bench seemed to be having fun. After nearly every Spurs basket made in the fourth quarter, members of the Spurs bench, including Duncan and Antonio McDyess, were erupting in laughter and smiling from ear to ear. The game was tied 83-83 after Bonner hit a 3-pointer with 5:56 to play, but then the Lakers outscored the Spurs 19-10 the rest of the way.

QUOTABLE: "It's not too bad. It was painful, but it's not that bad right now."
-- Bynum said of his right knee.

QUOTABLE II: "He could be out a couple games. There could be a bone bruise involved in that one when you hyperextend the knee. His reassurance was that he'll be OK. I kind of think he'd have an idea of it because he's been through it...he had some swelling...there's always concern (about Bynum's health). We've seen him go down a couple times and they were debilitating (injuries)."
-- Jackson on Bynum.

QUOTABLE III: "It was tough to see...to even think for a second that he might be out or this might be an injury that keeps him out for awhile, the impact that it'll have him...and as a group is tough to deal with."
-- Lakers guard Derek Fisher on Bynum.

THE STAT: 5 -- The number of Lakers who played more minutes than the Spurs' George Hill, who logged a team-high 27 minutes. (Artest -- 29; Gasol -- 40; Bryant -- 36; Fisher -- 35; Odom -- 36)

TURNING POINT: Bynum going down in the second quarter. This could impact not only the Lakers, but also the entire NBA postseason landscape.

QUOTABLE III: "I think we showed the character, the heart that we have and that we're a pretty deep team."
- Hill on the Spurs' performance.

HOT: Pau Gasol was the only player to get anything going in the game. He had a double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds. He was 7-for-12 from the field.

NOT: The Lakers as a team. Yes, they avoided dropping their sixth straight, but this was a Pyrrhic victory with the loss of Bynum, Blake and Barnes.

INSIDE THE ARENA: TNT analysts Cheryl Miller and Reggie Miller were walking on the court at halftime and that may have cost a contestant a Toyota Highlander. The contestant, who was one of four finalists with a top score in the Lakers' halftime skills challenge, was driving to the basket when both Millers stepped in front of him. The contestant missed the layup.

NOTABLE: The Lakers will call up forward Derek Caracter and guard Trey Johnson, who is averaging 25.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 39 games with the Bakersfield Jam, from the NBA Developmental League. ... Blake will likely be miles away from the Lakers. Several members of the Lakers, including Bryant, Bynum and Artest, have not had chicken pox. ... The Spurs shot 35.2 percent for the game to the Lakers' 45.6 percent. ... Fisher on possibly playing in Sacramento for the last time: "They'll be a lot of emotion and passionate energy (in the arena). Hopefully some of it will rub off on us...The situation in Sacramento is tough. They've been there for more than 30 years and they've supported a lot of NBA basketball, and if it is the last game there you have to feel for the fans, people in that community. If they do leave maybe hope they have an opportunity down the line."

UP NEXT: For the Lakers, Wednesday @ Sacramento. For the Spurs, Wednesday @ Phoenix.

• Spurs: Butler, Duncan, Ginobili
• Lakers: Caracter, Ebanks

• Spurs: Blair
• Lakers: Bryant

• Lead Changes: 6
• Times Tied: 6

• Arena: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
• Officials: #48 Scott Foster, #47 Bennie Adams, #71 Rodney Mott
• Attendance: 18997
• Duration: 2:23

San Antonio Spurs (61-20)		Los Angeles Lakers (56-25)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Bynum vs Splitter (Artest gains possession)
	11:43	Fisher Running Hook Shot: Missed
Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:40
Neal 3pt Shot: Missed	11:36
	11:36	Team Rebound
	11:18	Bynum Jump Shot: Missed
	11:18	Team Rebound
	11:14 [LAL 3-0]	Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Fisher (1 AST)
Splitter Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Hill (1 AST)	10:51 [SAS 2-3]
	10:36	Fisher Jump Shot: Missed
Blair Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:34
Splitter Jump Shot: Missed Block: Bynum (1 BLK)	10:26
	10:24	Bynum Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:19	Fisher Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Jefferson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:17
Neal Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:10 [SAS 4-3]
Jefferson Foul : Personal (1 PF)	10:00
	09:45	Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed
Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	09:44
Neal Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Hill (2 AST)	09:40 [SAS 6-3]
	09:25	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
Jefferson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	09:24
Jefferson Jump Shot: Missed	09:08
	09:07	Bryant Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:52	Artest 3pt Shot: Missed
Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:51
Neal 3pt Shot: Missed	08:46
	08:44	Team Rebound
Neal Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	08:30
	08:30 [LAL 4-6]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)
	08:30 [LAL 5-6]	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)
Hill Jump Shot: Missed	08:16
	08:15	Bryant Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	08:09 [LAL 7-6]	Bryant Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Jefferson Jump Shot: Missed	07:54
	07:53	Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:39 [LAL 9-6]	Gasol Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Bryant (1 AST)
Jefferson Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Bynum (2 BLK)	07:20
	07:17	Bryant Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	07:12	Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed
Splitter Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:10
Splitter Hook Shot: Missed	06:56
	06:53	Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:41 [LAL 11-6]	Gasol Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Fisher (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	06:40
Blair Substitution replaced by Bonner	06:40
Jefferson 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Neal (1 AST)	06:17 [SAS 9-11]
	05:49 [LAL 13-9]	Bryant Turnaround Fade Away shot: Made (9 PTS)
Jefferson 3pt Shot: Missed	05:34
	05:33	Bynum Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	05:21 [LAL 15-9]	Fisher Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Gasol (1 AST)
Hill Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	05:01 [SAS 11-15]
Hill Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	04:45
	04:45 [LAL 16-11]	Fisher Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	04:45	Gasol Substitution replaced by Odom
Neal Substitution replaced by Anderson	04:45
	04:45 [LAL 17-11]	Fisher Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Splitter Layup Shot: Missed	04:26
	04:24	Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Bonner Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	04:14
	04:14 [LAL 18-11]	Artest Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	04:14 [LAL 19-11]	Artest Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Hill Jump Shot: Missed	03:59
	03:58	Bynum Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	03:47 [LAL 21-11]	Bynum Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Fisher (3 AST)
Hill Turnover : Step Out of Bounds Turnover (1 TO)	03:39
	03:28	Odom 3pt Shot: Missed
Anderson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	03:27
	03:20	Artest Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Hill Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	03:20 [SAS 12-21]
Splitter Substitution replaced by Blair	03:20
	03:20	Bryant Substitution replaced by Brown
Hill Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	03:20 [SAS 13-21]
	03:05 [LAL 23-13]	Bynum Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Artest (1 AST)
	02:45	Artest Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	02:45	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:45	Artest Substitution replaced by Gasol
	02:45	Bynum Substitution replaced by Walton
Bonner Jump Shot: Missed	02:40
	02:39	Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	02:20	Gasol Jump Shot: Missed
Jefferson Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	02:19
Blair Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Hill (3 AST)	02:10 [SAS 15-23]
	01:49	Brown Jump Shot: Missed Block: Anderson (1 BLK)
	01:49	Team Rebound
Jefferson Substitution replaced by Green	01:49
	01:47	Walton Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Hill (1 ST)
Green Foul : Offensive (1 PF)	01:44
Green Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	01:44
	01:27	Odom Jump Shot: Missed
Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	01:26
Blair Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Brown (1 ST)	01:19
	01:15	Brown Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	01:15	Brown Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Hill Substitution replaced by Quinn	01:15
Anderson Layup Shot: Missed	01:03
	01:01	Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Blair Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	00:53.2
	00:53.2	Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:53.2	Team Rebound
	00:53.2 [LAL 24-15]	Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)
Anderson Jump Shot: Missed	00:35.9
	00:34.9	Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	00:25.9	Walton 3pt Shot: Missed
Blair Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:23.9
Green 3pt Shot: Missed	00:01.9
	00:00.9	Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
End of 1st Quarter
San Antonio Spurs (61-20)		Los Angeles Lakers (56-25)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Green Step Back Jump shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Quinn (1 AST)	11:38 [SAS 17-24]
	11:16	Odom Jump Shot: Missed
Quinn Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:15
Blair Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Quinn (2 AST)	11:10 [SAS 19-24]
	11:01	Team Timeout : Regular
	10:51	Odom Jump Shot: Missed
Quinn Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	10:50
Green Floating Jump shot: Missed	10:43
	10:40	Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	10:23	Brown Jump Shot: Missed
Anderson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	10:22
	10:17	Brown Foul : Shooting Block (2 PF)
Blair Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	10:17 [SAS 20-24]
Blair Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	10:17 [SAS 21-24]
	10:03	Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed
Blair Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	10:02
Anderson Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:49 [SAS 23-24]
Anderson Foul : Personal (1 PF)	09:37
	09:31	Odom 3pt Shot: Missed
Green Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:28
Bonner 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Quinn (3 AST)	09:22 [SAS 26-24]
	09:05 [LAL 26-26]	Odom Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Brown (1 AST)
Quinn Jump Shot: Missed	08:46
	08:45	Bynum Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	08:23	Bryant Layup Shot: Missed
Bonner Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:21
Anderson 3pt Shot: Missed	08:16
Blair Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	08:11
Blair Layup Shot: Missed	08:11
Blair Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	08:11
Blair Tip Shot: Missed	08:11
	08:11	Team Rebound
Blair Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)	08:11
Blair Technical	08:11
	08:11 [LAL 27-26]	Bryant Free Throw Technical (10 PTS)
Bonner Substitution replaced by Splitter	08:11
	08:11	Bynum Substitution replaced by Gasol
Anderson Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	07:58
	07:58 [LAL 28-26]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
Anderson Substitution replaced by Neal	07:58
Blair Substitution replaced by Novak	07:58
	07:58 [LAL 29-26]	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)
Neal Jump Shot: Missed	07:43
Splitter Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	07:42
	07:40	Walton Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Neal Jump Shot: Missed	07:30
Team Rebound	07:30
	07:30	Odom Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)
	07:30	Odom Substitution replaced by Smith
Novak Jump Shot: Missed	07:22
Team Rebound	07:22
	07:22	Walton Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)
Splitter Hook Shot: Missed	07:12
	07:09	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:03	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	07:02
Novak 3pt Shot: Missed	06:42
	06:41	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:26 [LAL 31-26]	Gasol Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Quinn Jump Shot: Missed	06:11
	06:10	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	06:00 [LAL 33-26]	Walton Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Bryant (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	05:59
	05:59	Brown Substitution replaced by Fisher
	05:59	Walton Substitution replaced by Artest
Green Substitution replaced by Hill	05:59
Novak 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Hill (4 AST)	05:38 [SAS 29-33]
	05:20 [LAL 35-29]	Bryant Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Gasol (2 AST)
Neal Jump Shot: Missed	05:04
	05:02	Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
Quinn Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	04:50
Quinn Substitution replaced by Jefferson	04:50
	04:50 [LAL 36-29]	Artest Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	04:50 [LAL 37-29]	Artest Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Hill Foul : Offensive (2 PF)	04:44
Hill Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	04:44
	04:32	Gasol Layup Shot: Missed
	04:30	Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	04:27 [LAL 39-29]	Gasol Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Smith (1 AST)
	04:15	Fisher Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Hill Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	04:15 [SAS 30-39]
Hill Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	04:15 [SAS 31-39]
	04:02	Fisher Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Splitter (1 ST)
Hill Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Splitter (1 AST)	03:57 [SAS 33-39]
	03:36 [LAL 41-33]	Fisher Jump Bank Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Gasol (3 AST)
	03:20	Fisher Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Novak Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)	03:20 [SAS 34-41]
Novak Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)	03:20 [SAS 35-41]
	02:57	Smith Turnover : 3 Second Violation (1 TO)
	02:57
Neal Substitution replaced by Bonner	02:57
	02:57	Smith Substitution replaced by Odom
Bonner Floating Jump shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Jefferson (1 AST)	02:44 [SAS 37-41]
	02:28	Odom 3pt Shot: Missed
Jefferson Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	02:27
Jefferson 3pt Shot: Missed	02:14
	02:14	Team Rebound
	02:03	Bryant Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	02:03	Bryant Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Hill Foul : Offensive (3 PF)	01:49
Hill Turnover : Foul (3 TO)	01:49
Hill Substitution replaced by Quinn	01:49
	01:36 [LAL 43-37]	Bryant Driving Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS)
	01:23	Bryant Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Jefferson Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	01:23
Team Rebound	01:23
Jefferson Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	01:23 [SAS 38-43]
	01:03 [LAL 45-38]	Gasol Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Bryant (3 AST)
	00:43.1	Gasol Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Splitter Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	00:43.1 [SAS 39-45]
Splitter Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	00:43.1 [SAS 40-45]
	00:33.9	Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed
Bonner Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:32.8
Bonner 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Quinn (4 AST)	00:08.4 [SAS 43-45]
	00:03.1	Bryant Foul : Offensive (3 PF)
	00:03.1	Bryant Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Team Timeout : Short	00:03.1
	00:03.1	Bryant Substitution replaced by Brown
	00:00.8	Artest Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Jefferson Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	00:00.8 [SAS 44-45]
Jefferson Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	00:00.8 [SAS 45-45]
	00:00.3	Brown 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 2nd Quarter
San Antonio Spurs (61-20)		Los Angeles Lakers (56-25)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Blair Hook Shot: Missed	11:39
	11:37	Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	11:17 [LAL 47-45]	Odom Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Hill Jump Shot: Missed	10:59
Blair Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	10:58
Blair Jump Shot: Missed Block: Gasol (1 BLK)	10:56
	10:53	Artest Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:44	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	10:43
	10:43	Odom Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)
Blair Layup Shot: Missed	10:30
	10:26	Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	10:20 [LAL 49-45]	Odom Driving Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)
	10:02	Gasol Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Hill Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	10:02 [SAS 46-49]
Hill Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	10:02 [SAS 47-49]
	09:45 [LAL 51-47]	Bryant Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (18 PTS)
Hill Jump Shot: Missed	09:34
	09:32	Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
Blair Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	09:23
	09:23 [LAL 52-47]	Odom Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	09:23	Odom Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
	09:22	Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	09:18	Odom Jump Shot: Missed
	09:16	Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)
	09:08 [LAL 54-47]	Bryant Jump Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Gasol (4 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	09:08
Neal Substitution replaced by Anderson	09:08
Blair Hook Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Bonner (1 AST)	08:48 [SAS 49-54]
	08:31	Fisher Jump Shot: Missed
	08:27	Bryant Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	08:27	Bryant Tip Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	08:27
Jefferson Jump Shot: Missed	08:17
Blair Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)	08:15
	08:13	Artest Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
Bonner Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	08:13 [SAS 50-54]
	08:13	Artest Substitution replaced by Brown
Bonner Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	08:13 [SAS 51-54]
	07:55 [LAL 57-51]	Fisher 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Odom (1 AST)
	07:36	Gasol Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Jefferson Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	07:36 [SAS 52-57]
Jefferson Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)	07:36 [SAS 53-57]
	07:29	Brown Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Jefferson (1 ST)
Anderson Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Missed	07:18
	07:15	Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)
	07:03 [LAL 60-53]	Brown 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Odom (2 AST)
Jefferson Driving Layup Shot: Missed	06:48
Blair Rebound (Off:5 Def:3)	06:44
Blair Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)	06:44 [SAS 55-60]
	06:27	Bryant Foul : Offensive (4 PF)
	06:27	Bryant Turnover : Foul (3 TO)
	06:27	Bryant Technical
Hill Free Throw Technical (11 PTS)	06:27 [SAS 56-60]
Blair Substitution replaced by Splitter	06:27
	06:27	Bryant Substitution replaced by Walton
Jefferson Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)	06:14 [SAS 58-60]
	05:55	Gasol Jump Shot: Missed
Bonner Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	05:54
Splitter Hook Shot: Missed	05:46
	05:44	Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:7)
	05:32 [LAL 62-58]	Odom Jump Bank Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Fisher (4 AST)
Hill 3pt Shot: Missed	05:08
Splitter Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	05:07
Hill Layup Shot: Missed	04:52
Splitter Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)	04:49
Splitter Tip Shot: Missed	04:49
	04:45	Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:8)
	04:43	Fisher 3pt Shot: Missed
Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	04:38
Splitter Hook Shot: Made (6 PTS)	04:25 [SAS 60-62]
Splitter Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	04:06
	04:06 [LAL 63-60]	Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)
Bonner Substitution replaced by Novak	04:06
Jefferson Substitution replaced by Green	04:06
	04:06 [LAL 64-60]	Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)
Novak Jump Shot: Missed	03:48
	03:47	Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:9)
	03:37	Brown Jump Shot: Missed
Green Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	03:35
Hill 3pt Shot: Missed	03:29
	03:27	Brown Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	03:15	Fisher Running Layup Shot: Missed
Splitter Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	03:13
Anderson 3pt Shot: Missed	03:07
	03:05	Team Rebound
	03:05	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:49 [LAL 66-60]	Odom Hook Shot: Made (11 PTS)
Green 3pt Shot: Missed	02:34
Splitter Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)	02:33
Splitter Foul : Offensive (2 PF)	02:32
Splitter Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	02:32
Hill Substitution replaced by Quinn	02:32
	02:20	Brown Jump Shot: Missed
Novak Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	02:18
Anderson Foul : Offensive (3 PF)	02:16
Anderson Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	02:16
	02:00	Gasol Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	01:58
Quinn Floating Jump shot: Missed	01:45
	01:42	Walton Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	01:35	Walton Foul : Offensive (3 PF)
	01:35	Walton Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Anderson 3pt Shot: Missed	01:23
	01:22	Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	01:11 [LAL 68-60]	Brown Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Odom (3 AST)
Anderson Substitution replaced by Neal	00:53.1
Green Floating Jump shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Neal (2 AST)	00:43.1 [SAS 62-68]
Splitter Foul : Shooting Block (3 PF)	00:33.2
	00:33.2 [LAL 69-62]	Fisher Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)
	00:33.2	Gasol Substitution replaced by Ratliff
	00:33.2 [LAL 70-62]	Fisher Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)
Quinn Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	00:12.1 [SAS 64-70]
	00:05.8	Odom 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:04.9	Brown Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	00:02.4	Brown Layup Shot: Missed Block: Novak (1 BLK)
Quinn Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:02.0
Quinn 3pt Shot: Missed	00:01.6
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 3rd Quarter
San Antonio Spurs (61-20)		Los Angeles Lakers (56-25)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:42	Bryant Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Blair (1 ST)
Neal Running Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	11:31 [SAS 66-70]
	11:13	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
Blair Rebound (Off:5 Def:4)	11:12
Novak 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Quinn (5 AST)	11:04 [SAS 69-70]
	11:03	Team Timeout : Regular
	11:03	Ratliff Substitution replaced by Gasol
	10:42 [LAL 72-69]	Brown Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Odom (4 AST)
Green Jump Shot: Missed	10:21
	10:20	Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:10)
Neal Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	10:03
	10:03 [LAL 73-69]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (21 PTS)
	10:03 [LAL 74-69]	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (22 PTS)
Green 3pt Shot: Missed	09:48
	09:47	Team Rebound
	09:31	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
Blair Rebound (Off:5 Def:5)	09:29
Neal Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	09:17
	09:00	Odom Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Blair (2 ST)
Blair Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Quinn (6 AST)	08:49 [SAS 71-74]
	08:31	Gasol Jump Shot: Missed
Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	08:30
Neal 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS)	08:23 [SAS 74-74]
	08:08 [LAL 76-74]	Gasol Hook Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Brown (2 AST)
Novak Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Quinn (7 AST)	07:57 [SAS 76-76]
	07:35	Brown 3pt Shot: Missed
Green Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	07:34
Green Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	07:29 [SAS 78-76]
	07:09 [LAL 78-78]	Odom Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS)
Novak Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	07:09
	07:09 [LAL 79-78]	Odom Free Throw 1 of 1 (14 PTS)
Quinn Jump Shot: Missed	07:00
	06:59	Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
Green Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	06:45
	06:45 [LAL 80-78]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (23 PTS)
Novak Substitution replaced by Bonner	06:45
Green Substitution replaced by Anderson	06:45
	06:45 [LAL 81-78]	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (24 PTS)
Neal Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS)	06:32 [SAS 80-81]
	06:12 [LAL 83-80]	Brown Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Artest (2 AST)
Bonner 3pt Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Quinn (8 AST)	05:56 [SAS 83-83]
	05:39 [LAL 85-83]	Odom Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Artest (3 AST)
Bonner Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	05:39
	05:39
	05:39	Brown Substitution replaced by Fisher
Quinn Substitution replaced by Hill	05:39
	05:39 [LAL 86-83]	Odom Free Throw 1 of 1 (17 PTS)
Neal Jump Shot: Missed	05:20
	05:19	Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:11)
	05:06 [LAL 88-83]	Artest Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Anderson Layup Shot: Missed	04:52
	04:51	Artest Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Blair Foul : Loose Ball (4 PF)	04:51
	04:51 [LAL 89-83]	Artest Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	04:51	Artest Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Blair Rebound (Off:5 Def:6)	04:51
	04:33	Artest Foul : Shooting (5 PF)
Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)	04:33 [SAS 84-89]
Bonner Substitution replaced by Novak	04:33
Blair Substitution replaced by Splitter	04:33
Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)	04:33 [SAS 85-89]
	04:15 [LAL 91-85]	Fisher Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS)
Neal 3pt Shot: Made (16 PTS)	04:00 [SAS 88-91]
	03:40	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
	03:39	Bryant Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	03:37 [LAL 93-88]	Gasol Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Bryant (4 AST)
	03:21	Bryant Foul : Personal (5 PF)
Neal Substitution replaced by Green	03:21
Green 3pt Shot: Missed	03:11
	03:07	Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:12)
	02:55 [LAL 96-88]	Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (27 PTS) Assist: Gasol (5 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:55
Hill Substitution replaced by Neal	02:55
Anderson Substitution replaced by Quinn	02:55
Splitter Hook Shot: Missed	02:38
	02:36	Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:13)
	02:19	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
Green Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	02:18
Neal Jump Shot: Missed	02:04
Splitter Rebound (Off:5 Def:2)	02:03
Quinn Jump Shot: Missed	01:58
	01:57	Bryant Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	01:36 [LAL 98-88]	Odom Jump Shot: Made (19 PTS)
Quinn Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	01:36
Neal Substitution replaced by Anderson	01:36
	01:36	Bryant Substitution replaced by Brown
	01:36 [LAL 99-88]	Odom Free Throw 1 of 1 (20 PTS)
Quinn Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	01:32
	01:17	Artest Substitution replaced by Walton
	01:13 [LAL 102-88]	Odom 3pt Shot: Made (23 PTS) Assist: Brown (3 AST)
Green 3pt Shot: Missed	01:01
Splitter Rebound (Off:6 Def:2)	01:00
Splitter Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS)	01:00 [SAS 90-102]
	01:00	Walton Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
Splitter Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed	01:00
	00:58.9	Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:14)
	00:42.4	Brown Turnover : Poss Lost Ball Turnover (3 TO)
Anderson 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Quinn (9 AST)	00:36.7 [SAS 93-102]
	00:23.9	Odom 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:22.8	Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:14)
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
country		channel			time
usa			TNT	National	10:30 pm ET
		--	FSW-LAL	Local	10:30 pm ET
		--	WOAI	Local	10:30 pm ET
		--	KSPN	Local	10:30 pm ET
canada			TSN2	national	10:30 pm ET