Spurs continue mastery of Lakers

Tim Duncan added 18 points, seven rebounds and nine assists for the Spurs before leaving in the fourth quarter after getting poked in the eye.

The Spurs won their seventh straight outing and for the 16th time in their past 18 games. San Antonio also defeated the Lakers for the seventh straight time.

Kobe Bryant had a game-high 43 points on 17-of-32 shooting for the Lakers, who lost for the first time in three games. Lamar Odom donated 13 points in the loss.

Down by two at the half, San Antonio exploded in the third quarter to take control of the game. The Spurs outscored Los Angeles 36-19 in the frame.

San Antonio came out of the locker room scorching and went on a 21-4 flurry. Ginobili capped the burst with a long trey that made the score 64-49 with just five minutes gone.

Finley’s jumper with just over a minute left in the quarter gave the Spurs a 17-point cushion, 79-62, and they headed to the final frame with a 79-64 lead.

The Spurs continued to hold Los Angeles at arm’s length in the fourth quarter. Finley’s jumper with 9:03 left gave San Antonio its largest lead, 87-69.

Bryant’s trey with 2:33 on the clock brought the Lakers to within nine, 100-91, but the Spurs quickly responded.

Finley drained a triple to make it 103-91 with 1:54 on the clock and San Antonio cruised to the victory.

The Lakers took a 27-21 lead after the first 12 minutes and continued to play frontrunner, 45-43, at intermission.

Game Notes

Bryant scored 40-plus points for the 18th time this season and has scored over 20 points in 41 straight games. The superstar swingman has also netted 35 or more in his last four contests...San Antonio is 21-9 as the visitor this season. The Spurs have won 11 of their last 13 on the road...The Lakers are 17-12 at home this season.