LAKERS vs SPURS (POST-GAME REPORT)

LAKERS 102 - SPURS 95
The Lakers come home with a 2-1 road trip while at the same time clinching a playoff spot in the Western Conference, after a win last night against the San Antonio Spurs. As these two western powerhouse teams played, it was obvious in the first quarter that this game was over, when the Lakers took a 18 point lead before the Spurs even knew what hit 'em.

Lakers came out focused, fluid, and ready to play. As the Spurs, didn't. The defensive minded team was just out of sorts, as one Laker after another hit shot after shot while at the same time making sweet defensive plays. With a well rested Lamar, and the start of Ariza, the starting line was full of energy.

After a suspension and some rest, Lamar went back as him old self and put in some work with 12pts, 10rebs, 2ast, 2blks, and 1stl. Another box filling Odom night. Ariza's 3rd start turned out pretty good with 10pts, 3rebs, 2asts, and 4stls. Fish also had 10pts to add. Pau had himself a night with 23pts, and 11rebs, while Kobe too also had 23pts himself and added 4rebs, and 6asts. The bench had it's struggles but managed not to completely blow the lead and accounted for 24pts.

With scoring trouble from Duncan and Parker most of the scoring was left to veteran Michael Finley who finished with a season high of 25pts, shooting 5 for 6 from behind the arc. Drew Gooden made his Spurs Debut and was quite effective with 2pts and 4rebs on only 4 minutes of playing time in the second quarter. With only minimal points in the first half, Parker went nuts and went on a scoring rampage to help bring his team back. Which he did up to being only down by 2 points. Then they made the mistake of letting Kobe gain control of the ball, in which he hit a big time 3-point contested shot over George Hill. Game over.

It's funny but true that the Lakers' 18pt lead in the first was a big enough cushion to push through the rest of the next 3 quarters in which the Spurs had won. They slowly chipped away at the Lakers lead but without a Manu to bring them back with a big enough scoring run; they had no chance. Up next, Dirk and the Mavs.