Spurs push Lakers to fifth consecutive loss

Spurs 108 - Lakers 105 (end of regulation)

The Spurs gave the Lakers almost every opportunity in the fourth quarter, as the Lakers stormed back within three-points with 54 seconds left in the game. Manu Ginobili hit a three pointer 11 seconds later, which seemed like the dagger.

Instead, Earl Clark, with his best game as a Laker (and as a pro) hit a three with 31.7 seconds left on the clock.

Tony Parker then turned the ball over with 10.4 seconds left, giving the Lakers an opportunity to tie the game at 108, but Kobe Bryant missed a contested three-pointer.

Unable to secure the rebound, the Spurs tapped the ball out into Clark’s hands but his long three-point attempt for the tie didn’t drop.

The Lakers (15-20) gave the Spurs (28-10) a real scare.

Bryant led all scorers with 27.

Clark had career highs with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Metta World Peace scored 23 as the Lakers shot 46.3% from the field.

Parker led the Spurs with 14 points and 14 assists. The Spurs had six players in double-figures but not Tim Duncan, who scored just eight. San Antonio shot 48.8% as a team, nailing 12 three pointers on 25 attempts (48%).

Stephen Jackson hit back-to-back threes to push the Spurs up by 17 but later in the fourth was hit with a pair of technicals and ejected.

The Lakers have lost five straight and will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. It’s unclear exactly when Dwight Howard (shoulder), Pau Gasol (concussion), Jordan Hill (hip) and Steve Blake (abdominal surgery) will be back to bolster the roster.

Gasol might be the first to return if he can pass the league’s concussion test on Thursday.

Spurs 85 - Lakers 75 (end of third quarter)

The Spurs extended their lead to 17 points in the third quarter, looking poised to finally put the Lakers away.

Instead Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace and Earl Clark kept the Lakers in the game with a late run. The Lakers scored 30 in the period but, true to their defensive deficiencies this season, they gave up 31.

Bryant scored 22 points as the Lakers shot 47.8% from the field. World Peace had 19 and Clark scored 11.

The Spurs got 22 from Tony Parker and 14 apiece from Tiago Splitter and Manu Ginobili, while shooting 50% from the field.

Spurs 54 - Lakers 45 (halftime)

Manu Ginobili had a big second quarter, complete with two dunks and a timely three-pointer. The Lakers kept the game close through two quarters but couldn’t get closer than five points. The Spurs ended the half on a run to extend their lead to nine.

Forward Earl Clark gave the Lakers a boost, scoring nine points on 4-5 shooting. Metta World Peace led with 11 points followed by both Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash with eight. The Lakers as a team shot 46.3% from the field

Ginobili and Tiago Splitter lead all scorers with 12 apiece. Tim Duncan had eight points on 4-9 shooting while the Spurs hit 51.2% from the field collectively.

Spurs 24 - Lakers 17 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers kept up with the Spurs for about eight minutes before San Antonio went on a 7-0 run to take an eight-point lead. Playing short-handed the Lakers shot just 38.9% from the field while the Spurs hit 50%.

Tony Parker led all scorers with eight points on 4-6 shooting. Metta World Peace was high-man for the Lakers with seven.

Robert Sacre, starting for Dwight Howard, didn’t score or collect a rebound in 9 1/2 minutes. Tim Duncan scored six points for the Spurs.

Pregame

The Lakers (15-19) visit the San Antonio Spurs (27-10) on the second-night of a road back-to-back. They’ll be playing without Dwight Howard (shoulder), Pau Gasol (concussion), Jordan Hill (hip), Steve Blake (abdominal surgery) and much of a chance against one of the best teams in the league.

The Lakers have already lost four straight after climbing to .500. If they can survive until the team gets healthy, there may still be time to climb back into the top eight for a playoff seed.

Beating Tim Duncan, Tony Park, Manu Ginobili and Spurs would be quite a feat for the Lakers on Wednesday night, arguably the best win of the year if the Lakers can get it.

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers at Spurs.

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