Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - November 6

(Basketball News) - The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the San Antonio Spurs, 105-96, on Friday at the Staples Center.

Kobe Bryant had 28 points to lead the Lakers, who have opened the post- Shaquille O’Neal era with losses in two of their first three games. Lamar Odom collected 24 points and 11 rebounds in a losing cause for LA.

The Spurs continued to control the game in the third quarter, but received a blow when Tim Duncan was forced to leave the game with his fourth personal foul with just under six minutes left. San Antonio, which led by 14 at the time Duncan hit the bench, weathered some Laker runs to take an 11-point lead into the final 12 minutes.

Los Angeles had several chances to slice the deficit to single digits, and finally did, at 96-87 with 5 1/2 minutes left in the game on two free throws by Bryant. It marked the first time in the second half that the Lakers were within single digits.

Chucky Atkins nailed a three-pointer with 3:53 left in the contest, and the Lakers were suddenly within six points, at 99-93. But it was as close as they would get.

The Spurs held a 22-8 edge in this game in points off turnovers, which allowed them to collect their fourth win over the Lakers in their last five visits to Los Angeles.

The Lakers are off until Sunday when they host Al Harrington and the Atlanta Hawks. Last season, the teams split a pair of games as both squads picked up home victories.