Duncan, Parker lead Spurs over Lakers 105-85

[February 04, 2010]  SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Tim Duncan had 25 points and 13 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs showed they can still hang with their Western Conference rivals in a 105-85 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

Tony Parker scored 22 as the Spurs got their biggest victory this season. The Lakers are just the fourth winning team San Antonio has beaten, but none the caliber of the defending NBA champions.

Kobe Bryant had another off game, scoring 16 points. He again wore a thick splint over his broken right index finger, and did not play in the fourth quarter because of back spasms. Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Bryant was probable for Wednesday's game in Dallas.

The Spurs and Lakers dominated the last decade, winning seven titles between them. The Lakers whittled a 22-point deficit to six late in the first meeting of this decade, but it was a rout by the end.

Bryant, who scored just 12 on 4-of-21 shooting in a win over Milwaukee on Sunday, had another slow night. He took a season-low 10 shots from the field, hitting seven of them.

Bryant has said that keeping his finger covered gives it more strength and protection, but he admits it affects his touch.

Andrew Bynum scored 23 points and Ron Artest had 13 for the Lakers. Los Angeles has lost three of four -- its worst slump yet by the standards of the NBA's best team.

Few teams, meanwhile, have been hotter over the last month than San Antonio.

The Spurs are 14-4 since Dec. 9, trailing only Cleveland (15-4) for the best record over that stretch. None of those wins were as satisfying -- or as much a relief -- as this one.

The Spurs (23-13) have built their winning record on the backs of weak competition, going 19-2 against teams with losing records. But they've wilted consistently against winning teams, including a loss Friday against Dallas.

But the Spurs had been looking forward to this litmus test. They spent lavishly last summer for the unsaid purpose of keeping up with the Lakers, and here was a chance to show if they got their money's worth.

Instead, their older investments led this win.

Duncan was 12 of 19 from the field while Parker shot 10 of 18. Parker scored nine points in the fourth quarter.

Richard Jefferson, added this summer to add more offensive punch, scored 12. George Hill had 13.

This wasn't the same Lakers team the Spurs are likely see again later. Besides Bryant's hurt hand, Pau Gasol has missed the last five games with a strained left hamstring. Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Gasol has his sights on returning Friday against the Clippers.

NOTES: F Luke Walton (pinched nerve, back) made his first appearance in nearly eight weeks, scoring four points and grabbing a rebound in six minutes. ... With the loss, the Lakers were denied their first crack at becoming the only NBA franchise with 3,000 victories. They'll try again Wednesday at Dallas.

[Associated Press; By PAUL J. WEBER]

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