Lakers Crush Spurs In Western Conference Showdown

Bryant scored 22 points while playing only three quarters.

Kobe Bryant led a balanced scoring attack as the Los Angeles Lakers crushed the San Antonio Spurs 99-85 on Sunday in a showdown of the Western Conference's top teams.

Bryant scored 22 points while playing only three quarters. He was not needed in the fourth after the Lakers turned a six-point halftime lead into a 15-point spread in the third quarter. The margin eventually went to 21 in the fourth.

The victory avenged a one-point loss by the conference-leading Lakers at No. 2 San Antonio on Jan. 14.

This time Los Angeles got 17 points from reserve Trevor Ariza plus 16 points and some timely passes from Pau Gasol in winning for the 23rd time in 26 home games.

Center Andrew Bynum contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds and Jordan Farmar, who had not played since Dec. 19 because of torn knee cartilage that required surgery, added 14 points.

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 19 points. Tim Duncan was the only other San Antonio player in double figures with 15 points and eight rebounds. Both rested much of the fourth quarter as did most of the Los Angeles starters.

San Antonio's Manu Ginobili, who came into the game averaging 15.1 points, finished with nine points and eight rebounds.