Spurs, Lakers to tangle at AT&T Center

San Antonio is tied with the Dallas Mavericks for the top spot in the Southwest Division.

The Spurs return home after going 2-1 on a three-game road trip. On Thursday, Tony Parker poured in 29 points and San Antonio put an end to Phoenix’s 11- game winning streak with an impressive 117-93 victory at America West Arena.

Manu Ginobili added 18 points, while Tim Duncan netted 16 in the win over the Suns for the Spurs, who rebounded from Tuesday’s loss to the Clippers and posted their eighth win in their nine games overall.

Ginobili ended 6-of-8 from the field, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, while Duncan was 8-of-11 from the floor. San Antonio shot a sizzling 55.2 percent as a team.

San Antonio, which will also host Houston, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, and Phoenix on the current stand, is an impressive 26-3 as the host this season. The Spurs have won seven in a row at home.

The Lakers play the finale of a brief two-game road trip. Kobe Bryant spoiled the Hornets’ return to New Orleans, as he recorded 40 points in a 113-107 win for the Lakers at New Orleans Arena. Bryant shot 12-of-33 from the floor and hit 14-of-16 free throws for the Lakers, who have won three of their last four games overall.

Lamar Odom added 18 points and 17 boards, while Smush Parker had 16 points and seven assists in the win over the Hornets for Los Angeles, which used a late run to pull away from its opponent.

LA is 15-18 as the visitor this season. The Lakers, who are tied with the Hornets for the seventh spot in the Western Conference playoff race, have won two straight on the road.

This is the third meeting of the campaign between the clubs. In the two previous contests, the Spurs picked up victories on November 29th at home and on March 6th on the road.

The Spurs have won seven straight over the Lakers, who have lost three in a row at San Antonio. The last time the Lakers defeated the Spurs was on December 3, 2003 at San Antonio.

The Lakers are scheduled to host the Spurs on March 30th in the fourth and final meeting of the regular season between the squads.