The San Antonio Spurs were having their way with the Lakers for the majority of the game, leading by as many as 17 points. The Los Angeles Lakers made a valiant run in the 4th quarter but eventually fell to the Spurs 108-105.
Kobe Bryant got the Lakers to within 6 points after knocking down a 3 at the 3:32 mark. Earl Clark hit another 3 with 31 seconds remaining to get the Lakers within 3 points and set them up to have a chance to tie the game in the final possession of the game. However, with 10.4 seconds left, both Kobe Bryant and Earl Clark missed game tying 3s to end the game.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ defensive problems continued in San Antonio Wednesday night. The Spurs were able to get up shot after uncontested shot against the Lakers on their way to shooting 48.8% from the field. The Spurs were especially deadly from behind the 3 point line were they knocked down 12 of them on 25 shots. Stephen Jackson was the main long range marksman for the Spur, hitting 4 of 6 from 3 point land.
The Spurs were led by Tony Parker with 24 points and 6 assists.
Bryant led the Lakers in scoring with 27 points. Metta World Peace had another good scoring night, contributing 23 points and 7 steals.
Without their 3 best big men, it was understandable that the Lakers were out rebounded 48 to 40 by the Spurs. The Lakers got a great and surprising effort from rarely used Earl Clark off the bench. Earl scored 22 points and 13 rebounds in 27 minutes.
This marks the Lakers 5th loss in a row and it only gets harder. The Lakers face another one of the elite teams in the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder, on Friday at home.
– Fern Rea “@fullcourtfern”
Raining3s 