Spurs 112 - 91 Lakers
Final
  for this game

Parker pushes Spurs past Lakers

Apr 18, 2012 - 6:34 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Tony Parker scored 29 points and handed out 13 assists as the San Antonio Spurs downed the Los Angeles Lakers, 112-91, at Staples Center.

Tim Duncan added 19 points and eight rebounds, while Manu Ginobili finished with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Spurs, who earned their fourth straight win to take a half-game lead over idle Oklahoma City for the top spot in the Western Conference.

"We're going to play for it, but at the same time I think the most important thing for (head coach Gregg Popovich) and for us is to be healthy and be fresh when the playoffs start," Parker said about the No. 1 seed in the West.

Andrew Bynum had 21 points and seven rebounds for Los Angeles, which had its four-game win streak snapped to remain a half-game ahead of the Clippers for the Pacific Division lead and the third seed in the West.

Pau Gasol and Matt Barnes each scored 16 points in a losing effort.

A back-and-forth first quarter that saw six lead changes and six ties ended with Bynum connecting on a three-point play to hand the Lakers a 28-27 edge.

The teams continued to trade baskets over the opening six-plus minutes of the second quarter, but after Barnes' driving layup gave Los Angeles a 41-39 advantage just past the midpoint of the frame, the Spurs closed out the half with a 24-6 run to hold a 63-47 lead at the break.

Parker led the way with eight points and three assists in the game-changing run.

San Antonio carried its momentum into the third quarter, opening the frame with seven straight points to extend its lead to 70-47 and the Lakers never threatened in the second half.

The Spurs carried a 91-70 advantage into the fourth quarter and held at least a 14-point lead over the final 12 minutes as they cruised to the victory.

"The way they closed that second quarter helped them get the necessary lead to go ahead and put the game away," Lakers head coach Mike Brown said.

Game Notes

The Lakers were without All-Star guard Kobe Bryant for the sixth straight game because of a sore left shin. LA is 4-2 in that span...San Antonio had lost its last three meetings with the Lakers...The Lakers turned the ball over 20 times, resulting in 26 points for the Spurs.






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