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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

Westbrook erupts for 36 to lead Thursday’s S&Ds

Russell Westbrook didn’t let a slow start change his focus in a big game in his home area.

Westbrook returned to Los Angeles and provided 36 points and six assists to lead Oklahoma City’s 102-93 triumph over the Lakers.

In the process, Westbrook turned around a sputtering start that saw him miss four of his first six shots in the first quarter.

“The game got out of whack. It was my job to pick it up,” Westbrook told the Associated Press. “We did a great job of defending and closing out the game.”

The victory enabled the Thunder to stretch their winning streak to five straight games as they moved three games ahead of the Spurs for the best record in the Western Conference.

He also earned some praise from Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who unsuccessfully tried to keep him in check for most of the game.

“Russell Westbrook established the tempo in the third quarter and he changed the pace of the game for them,” Bryant told the AP. “He’s one of my favorites. He’s developed his outside shot a great deal, and he went to the post a little bit as well so he’s a problem.”

It enabled him to lead Thursday’s Studs and Duds of the top performers across the association.

STUDS

Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook: Notched 36 points, six assists and two steals and was plus-5 in the Thunder’s victory at the Los Angeles Lakers.

Portland F LaMarcus Aldridge: Went for 25 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and was plus-4 in the Trail Blazers’ victory over New Orleans.

Indiana F Danny Granger: Tallied 25 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in the Pacers’ triumph over Washington.

Miami F Chris Bosh: Went for 19 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and was plus-26 in the Heat’s victory over Dallas.

Los Angeles Lakers C Andrew Bynum: Notched 25 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and was plus-2 in the Lakers’ loss to Oklahoma City.

DUDS

Dallas G Jason Terry: Clanked through a 1-for-10 shooting night with three turnovers and was a team-worst minus-20 in the Mavericks’ loss at Miami.

Los Angeles Lakers G Ramon Sessions: Limited to seven points with five turnovers in the Lakers’ loss to Oklahoma City.

Portland G Jamal Crawford: Missed all six shots from the field, including five 3-pointers, in the Trail Blazers’ victory over New Orleans.

New Orleans G Xavier Henry: Went 1 for 7 from the field and was a team-worst minus-16 in the Hornets’ loss at Portland.

Los Angeles Lakers F Metta World Peace: Struggled through a 3-for-13 shooting night and was minus-5 in the Lakers’ loss to Oklahoma City.

Hurting LBJ leads Wednesday’s S&Ds

LeBron James was hurting after Miami’s victory over Oklahoma City Wednesday night.

During the course of the game, James twisted his left ankle, rejammed his left ring finger and was taken down by Russell Westbrook in a hard foul that helped turned the game around.

“I need to find the best damn masseuse in Miami,” James groaned to ESPN.com’s Heat Index after the game.

Despite the physical toll, James came up with perhaps his best all-around effort to lead the Heat’s 98-93 victory over the Thunder — their 17th consecutive home victory.

James notched 34 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists and four steals to lead the matchup between two of the league’s power teams.

The Westbrook play may have energized the Heat. James was driving for breakaway dunk when Westbrook pulled him off balance and sent him sprawling to the floor.

“I don’t know, I’m not one to say it was a dirty play or not a dirty play, I’ll let you guys decide,” James told the Heat Index. “It’s a dangerous play. Just look at the other end, Russ being as athletic as he is going down the lane and someone tries that. It’s a fine line.”

It could have been a playoff preview that some NBA fans would savor.

But before that, James came up with another strong effort to lead Wednesday’s Studs and Duds.

STUDS

Miami F LeBron James: Filled the stat sheet for 34 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, four steals and was a game-high plus-20 in the Heat’s triumph over Oklahoma City.

Los Angeles Lakers C Andrew Bynum: Notched 36 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and was a team-high plus-10 in the Lakers’ victory over the Clippers.

Los Angeles Lakers G Kobe Bryant: Went for 31 points, five rebounds, six assists and was plus-8 in the Lakers’ triumph over the Clippers.

Milwaukee G Monta Ellis: Notched 30 points, five rebounds, eight assists and was a game-high plus-10 in the Bucks’ triumph over Cleveland.

Los Angeles Clippers G Chris Paul: Went for 22 points, 16 assists and two rebounds in the Clippers’ loss to the Lakers.

DUDS

New Jersey F Gerald Wallace: Clanked through a 3-for-12 shooting effort with a turnover and was a game-worst minus-38 in the Nets’ loss at Portland.

Washington G John Wall: Clanked through a 4-for-15 shooting effort with five turnovers and was a game-worst minus-22 in the Wizards’ loss to Indiana.

New Jersey G Sundiata Gaines: Missed all five shots, had two turnovers and was minus-24 in the Nets’ loss at Portland.

Denver F Corey Brewer: Missed all seven shots with a turnover and was a game-worst minus-18 in the Nuggets’ loss at New Orleans.

Cleveland F Samardo Samuels: Missed both shots and was a game-worst minus-22 in only 15 minutes in the Cavaliers’ loss at Milwaukee.