Lakers lose fourth in a row, 119-113 to the Spurs
Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) drives the lane against Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) and center Tim Duncan (21) during the first half.
Back from the All-Star break, the Lakers lost their fourth consecutive game on Friday night, falling to the San Antonio Spurs, 119-113, at Staples Center.
The Lakers overcame a 15-point deficit to close to within six points on a Lou Williams’ four-point play. Kobe Bryant made a turnaround fadeaway shot on the Lakers’ next possession to cut the deficit to four, but Tony Parker made back-to-back jumpers to keep the Spurs ahead.
Bryant suffered a scare in the final minutes, suffering what appeared to be a dislocated finger.
Trainer Gary Vitti tended to Bryant, who tried to return to the court without taking a play off. Because Nick Young had checked in, Bryant was forced to sit out briefly, but returned to score his 24th and 25th points on a pull-up jumper with 1:23 left in the game.
Patty Mills put the Lakers away with an open three-pointer, the Spurs improving to 46-9 on the season -- despite playing Friday without All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard (calf). Former UCLA Bruin Kyle Anderson started in his place.
Parker matched Bryant with 25 points. The Spurs also got 16 from LaMarcus Aldridge, 15 from Patty Milles, 14 from Anderson, 12 from Tim Duncan and 10 apiece from Boris Diaw and Rasual Butler.
The Lakers shot 49.4% from the field, 45.5% !0 of 22) from three-point range and 88.5% (23 of 26) from the free-throw line. The Spurs shot 54.5%, 50.0% (6 of 12) and 94.4% (17 of 18), respectively.
The Lakers got 21 points from Williams, 20 from Jordan Clarkson, 11 from Julius Randle and 10 apiece from Brandon Bass and Nick Young.
Both Randle (15 rebounds) and Duncan (13) had double-doubles.
The Lakers (11-45) travel to play the Chicago Bulls (27-26) on Sunday. The Spurs next visit the Phoenix Suns (14-40), also on Sunday.
Email Eric Pincus at Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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