Spurs 97, Lakers 82
Tony Parker scored 23 points and DeJuan Blair added a season-high 17 points and 14 rebounds as the host San Antonio Spurs flexed their muscles with a 97-82 victory over the slumping Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Richard Jefferson had 15 points and seven rebounds and George Hill added 10 and nine for the Spurs (27-4), who have won 11 of their last 12 games and have the best record in the Western Conference.
In its 11th straight home win, San Antonio sent a message to the two-time defending champions, holding Los Angeles to 35 percent shooting. Superstar Kobe Bryant made just 8-of-27 shots and scored 12 of his 21 points after the Lakers were already behind by 14 points with 8:55 left.
The Lakers got no closer than 11 points thereafter and have been held to their three lowest totals of the season during their current slide.
The Spurs took the lead for good at 47-46 on Jefferson’s 3-pointer with 10:40 left in the third quarter and led by as many as 19 points.
Pao Gasol had nine points, nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks in the first half but just three rebounds and one assist in the second half for the Lakers (21-10), who had their five-game road winning streak snapped.