Lakers 98, Spurs 84
LAKERS 98, SPURS 84: Andrew Bynum had a career-best 30 rebounds to go with 16 points to lead visiting Los Angeles past San Antonio.
Metta World Peace scored a season-high 26 points and Pau Gasol added 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Lakers won despite star guard Kobe Bryant missing his third straight game due to a shin injury.
Bynum's rebound total, which is the highest in the NBA this season, is also the fifth 30-rebound game in Lakers franchise history. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain and George Mikan also accomplished the feat.
Danny Green scored 22 points and Tim Duncan added 14 for the Spurs, who had an eight-game home winning streak snapped but remained one game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for best record in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles dominated the boards 60-33 and had 16 offensive rebounds to San Antonio’s one.
World Peace connected on five of the Lakers’ 11 3-pointers.
World Peace scored nine third-quarter points as Los Angeles built its five-point halftime advantage into a 71-51 lead with 3:50 left in the period. The Lakers led 75-59 entering the final quarter.
Bynum had 19 rebounds in the first half as the Lakers took a 48-43 lead. Los Angeles had a 37-18 rebounding edge and San Antonio didn’t collect a single offensive rebound.
Matt Barnes added 13 points for Los Angeles, which remains 1 1/2 games ahead of the Clippers in the Pacific Division race.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Wednesday’s game was the first of three in a 10-day span between the two teams. … Spurs guard Tony Parker had just four points on 2-of-12 shooting. … Bynum’s previous career high was 23 rebounds against the Utah Jazz last season. … Green made five of San Antonio’s 13 3-pointers.