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 Duncan became the 19th NBA player to top 25,000 points, leading
the Spurs to a 93-80 victory over the Lakers at Staples Center.
Duncan, who finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds, surpassed the
plateau with a bucket in the lane late in the second quarter. Duncan
is one of five active players who have topped the mark, a list that
includes Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Dirk Nowitzki.
"I told (backup center) Aron Baynes, 'You know, it's no big deal if
he shot as much as Tim. He'd have 25,000,'" Spurs coach Gregg
Popovich quipped. "A lot of guys who have 25,000 points, they shot
all the time. Duncan, you know, he's selfish, doesn't play with his
teammates. It's awful."
Reserve guard Corey Joseph scored a team-high 14 points for the
Spurs (5-3), who won their third straight. Point guard Tony Parker
had 11 points and nine assists.
"It's really early in the season, and we've got some injuries to
deal with, but we're starting to play a little better than we did in
the first couple of games and preseason," said Duncan, who hit six
of his eight shots from the field. "Hopefully, we can hit a stride."
Forward Carlos Boozer scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds to
lead the Lakers (1-8), who dropped their third in a row. Bryant, who
was slowed by an unknown illness, managed just nine points on
1-of-14 shooting. Bryant, who misfired on his first 10 shots and all
five of his 3-pointers, didn't connect on his first field goal until
there was 10:59 remaining in the game, hitting a turnaround jumper
over Joseph.
"I didn't feel too good," said Bryant, who didn't reveal what was
bothering him physically. "But, you know, I'm used to playing
through that. It's just tough. Tonight was just one of those nights
where it makes me really remember the challenge of being 36, and
being 19 years in (the league). Body just won't respond, and you're
sick, and trying to get used to being able to fighting through those
things."
Bryant also was the reason Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard exited the
game, though the outcome wasn't in doubt by then. Leonard went to
the locker room early in the fourth quarter and didn't return,
suffering a cut in his left eyebrow that required five stitches.
Leonard said he was on the receiving end of an errant elbow by
Bryant.
"Kobe got fouled and ended up swinging his arms, just in the moment
of play and not trying to hurt me," Leonard said. "Accidents happen,
and he ended up hitting me in the eyebrow and then it split open."
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The Spurs led by as many as 13 points before taking a 47-35 lead at
the half behind Leonard, who scored all 12 of his points in the
first half. Los Angeles closed the gap to seven twice in the third,
but both times the Spurs pushed the lead back to double digits.
Parker's layup with 5.1 seconds left in the quarter gave San Antonio
a 68-57 cushion heading into the fourth period.
"I think we defended well," said Leonard, who converted on five of
his six attempts from the floor and both 3-pointers he launched. "We
made shots from the 3-point line that we were struggling (with) as a
team. We did a good job tonight."
A 20-5 spurt to open the final period allowed the Spurs to bury the
Lakers.
Lakers point guard Jeremy Lin scored 15 points, while center Jordan
Hill had 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lakers could get a boost with the return of forward Nick Young
sometime next week. Young, who hasn't played this season, has been
out with torn ligaments in his right thumb.
"He's due to return next week," Scott said. "Again, it gives us
another offensive weapon off the bench, a veteran guy with some
experience."
NOTES: Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says he sympathizes with the state
of the Lakers. "It's a difficult situation," Popovich said. "We all
know how tough the business is for everybody. It's not like they're
getting killed every night; they've been in ball games. It just
hasn't worked out in the end for them, so you're not talking about a
team that's not competitive." ... Lakers coach Byron Scott said
Spurs G Tony Parker is "probably the most underrated point guard
that I've seen in this league that has four or five championships."
... Lakers G Ronnie Price served his one-game suspension for his
flagrant-2 foul Wednesday on New Orleans G Austin Rivers. ... San
Antonio caps its four-game West Coast swing Saturday with a game
against the Sacramento Kings. ... Los Angeles hosts the Golden State
Warriors on Sunday.
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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