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Kobe-less Lakers too tall a task for Spurs

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Lakers 98, Spurs 84: April 11, 2012

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) fights for a rebound with Los Angeles Lakers’ Devin Ebanks (03) in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Danny Green (04) gets a reverse layup against Los Angeles Lakers’ Andrew Bynum (17) and Metta World Peace (15) in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) attemps a shot against Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol (16) in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown (center) talks to his players Ramon Sessions (07) and Devin Ebanks (03) during a pause in the game against the Spurs in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Los Angeles Lakers’ Andrew Bynum (17) contends for a rebound with Spurs’ DeJuan Blair (45) in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (center) smiles whiles sitting out the game against the Spurs at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) attempts a shot against Los Angeles Lakers’ Devin Ebanks (03) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Lakers’ Metta World Peace (15) ponders an official’s call during their game against the Spurs in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) and Manu Ginobili (20) apply defensive pressure against Los Angeles Lakers’ Metta World Peace (15) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant applauds his team on the floor during their game against the Spurs in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Bryant did not suit up to play due to a shin injury. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich appear less than pleased by his team’s play against the Los Angeles Lakers at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) gets a steal against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) attempts a shot against Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol (16) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Danny Green (04) takes a hard foul by Los Angeles Lakers’ Metta World Peace (15) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Patty Mills (08) gets pressure from Los Angeles Lakers’ Steve Blake (05) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) puts up a shot against Los Angeles Lakers’ Andrew Bynum (17) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Laker’s Metta World Peace (15) during the game against the Spurs at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ James Anderson (25) attempts a shot over Los Angeles Lakers’ Ramon Sessions (07) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) defends against Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol (16) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) and Los Angeles Lakers’ Metta World Peace (15) meet to chat after their game at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Jackson and World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) played together on the Indiana Pacers in 2004. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Silver Dancers perform during a timeout in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

By Jeff McDonald

There was a moment, late in the second quarter of the Lakers’ 98-84 ransacking of the Spurs on Wednesday night, that told the tale.

Pau Gasol missed an 8-footer, and he and Andrew Bynum spent the next 30 seconds trying — and trying again — to tap it back in.

The Lakers didn’t get points on that trip, but it was their relentlessness — on the boards, in the paint, on the road and without star guard Kobe Bryant — that sent the Spurs sprawling to a meek defeat that ranked as their most lopsided at the ATT Center this season.

“They beat us to death,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “There’s nothing else you can say about it.”

Given the way the Spurs ended last season — manhandled by Memphis in the first round of the playoffs — it was alarming to watch the Lakers’ muscular frontline lead the way to a 60-33 rebounding advantage.

Bynum, the Lakers’ 7-foot center, had 16 points to go with a career-best 30 rebounds, and did everything but steal the Spurs’ milk money.

Gasol, a fellow 7-footer, added a 21-point, 11-rebound line that paled next to Bynum’s field day.

The Lakers (37-22) limited the Spurs (40-16) to one offensive rebound — on a Tony Parker putback with 7:33 left in the third quarter that was the All-Star point guard’s second and final field goal.

L.A.’s ownership of the glass was doubly concerning, considering the aforementioned Grizzlies are headed to town tonight in hopes of handing the Spurs their first three-game losing streak.

“They had a lot more guys play better than we did,” said Tim Duncan, who had 14 points but just two rebounds. “Not to simplify it too much, but that’s the bottom line.”

It can be folly to ascribe too much significance to one game, but the season’s first meeting between these two Western Conference contenders seemed to signal a shot across the Spurs’ bow.

The Lakers, who also got 26 points and five 3-pointers from Metta World Peace, never trailed past the 3:16 mark of the first quarter and led by as many as 26.

It all combined to enliven the sizeable Lakers’ portion of the 18,581 fans who packed the Spurs’ home arena.

“It was kind of embarrassing,” Manu Ginobili said. “We didn’t play well enough, or hard enough, to beat them.”

The Spurs’ 11-game winning streak, halted Monday when Popovich declined to bring Duncan, Parker or Ginobili to Utah, seemed a remnant of the past.

Even without Bryant, out for the third straight came with a sore left shin, the Lakers proved powerful enough to body-slam the Spurs, who three days earlier were perched atop the West standings.

Bynum became one of five players in Lakers history to grab at least 30 rebounds in a game, joining a Hall of Fame list that includes Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, George Mikan and Elgin Baylor.

He came within three of matching the Spurs’ rebound total by himself.

“I think we’ve got matchups against this team that are favorable for us,” Bynum said. “They have to come double the pick-and-roll. We finally have a point guard (Ramon Sessions) who is getting into the paint, makes floaters and collapses defenses. A lot of ways to attack.”

Not only did the Lakers’ size bar the Spurs from the boards, it made life hazardous for guards entering the paint. Parker, especially, had a rough night, going 2 of 12 for four points — though he did rack up eight assists.

“I played very bad,” Parker said. “I just missed shots.”

Despite Wednesday’s outcome, the second-place Spurs still lead L.A. by 5 1/2 games in the West. With Oklahoma City’s loss to the Clippers, the Spurs remained within a game of the top spot.

There is plenty of time for the Spurs to regroup, and given their sterling record, reason enough to write off Wednesday as “one of those nights.”

But for 48 minutes, the Lakers were bigger, stronger and tougher than the Spurs. This one is going to leave a mark.

“They beat us in every facet of the game,” Popovich said. “It was really a poor performance, execution-wise and competitiveness-wise.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

James, Heat stop Lakers cold

MIAMI — was sitting at his locker after the game, a bottle of cold medicine at his side.

The would be hard-pressed to believe it was needed.

James shook off flu-like symptoms to put up 31 points, eight rebounds and eight assists — hours after being told to stay away from the team’s shootaround practice after calling in with a cough and chest congestion — and the topped the Lakers 98-87 on Thursday night. scored 15 for Miami, which won its second straight after a three-game slide.

“A chest cold can get to you at times,” James said. “But I felt like I could help the team.”

Shane Battier scored 11 and led the way defensively on . finished with 10 for Miami, which led by as many as 23 points and improved to 5-1 at home.

Miami moved to 5-0 this season without , who missed his second straight game with a sprained right ankle. He missed three games earlier this season with left foot soreness.

“We don’t take (James’) talent for granted, nor do we take Dwyane’s talent or Chris’ talent,” Heat coach said. “They’re special players, and they can rise to the occasion.”

Pau Gasol scored a season-high 26 for the Lakers, Bryant scored 24 — 14 in the fourth quarter — and finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

It was the first time James had gone against L.A.’s , his former coach in Cleveland. James ran over to Brown moments before tipoff for a long embrace.

“I had a great time coaching LeBron,” Brown said. “I wouldn’t be in this suit if it wasn’t for him.”

Spain beats France despite 26 from Parker

By NESHA STARCEVIC
Associated Press

KAUNAS, Lithuania — Juan Carlos Navarro stole the spotlight from what was supposed to be a big matchup between Pau Gasol and Tony Parker, leading Spain to it second straight European basketball championship.

Navarro scored 27 points to lead Spain to a 98-85 victory over France in the final on Sunday.

Parker scored 26 points for France but the Spurs star got little help and could not bring his team its first continental title. France came within six points in the third period but a 7-0 run keyed by a 3-pointer from Navarro restored Spain’s double-digit lead.

“They played great and we can learn a lot from that,” Parker said. “That’s where we want to be as a team. They’ve been together for more than six years and it makes a huge difference. … I know what it’s like after winning three titles with the San Antonio Spurs.”

“This is a historic team,” said Navarro, who is known in his homeland as “La Bomba” for his scoring ability. “We’ll see what are the limits of this selection (of players).”

Gasol chipped in with a double-double, adding 17 points and 10 rebounds for Spain, which became the first repeat champion since Yugoslavia in 1997.

“It’s a very sweet moment for (Spanish) basketball,” the Los Angeles Lakers star said.

Navarro’s performance followed a 35-point game in the semifinal win over Macedonia and earned him the MVP honors for the tournament.

The shooting guard spent a season in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies before returning to Barcelona in 2008.

“Navarro has been incredible, shooting very well and stepping up for us in the clutch,” Gasol said.

Another difference maker in the final was Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka, who had five blocks in a five-minute span in the second quarter when Spain built a 10-point lead that it never relinquished. Ibaka, a native of the Republic of Congo, was playing his first tournament for Spain after being granted citizenship in July.

“This was my destiny and I have achieved my dream,” Ibaka said. “I knew that we were going to win because we have a great team. It is my first year with the team and look! Yes sir, five blocks, that’s right man.”

Navarro also had five assists to lead a balanced Spanish effort. Guard Jose Calderon of the Toronto Raptors added 17 points while the Dallas Mavericks’ Rudy Fernandez had 14 and the Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol — Pau’s younger brother — scored 11.

“I am extremely proud of back-to-back titles because this was a high-quality championship,” Spain coach Sergio Scariolo said.

Both teams qualified for next year’s London Olympics by reaching the final.

Spain took control early and never allowed France to come close. With 10 blocks and 10 steals — four by Calderon — Spain scored 23 points off France’s 15 turnovers.

“No doubt it was the best team,” France coach Vincent Collet said. “We tried, for a long time we were not far but not very close either. Every time we got close they found a solution. … When you lose to a better team, there is not much to say.”

Boris Diaw of the Charlotte Bobcats had 12 points for France, Chicago Bulls star Joakim Noah had 11 and eight rebounds and Nicolas Batum finished with 10 points.

In the bronze-medal game, Aleksey Shved scored the last four points to give Russia a 72-68 victory over Macedonia. American-born guard Bo McCalebb led Macedonia with 22 points. Russia won the tournament in 2007, beating Spain in the final.

Parker, Navarro, McCalebb, Gasol and Andrei Kirilenko of Russia were picked as the top five players of the tournament.