=== Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - April 5 === (My Sportsbook) - The Lakers came back to Earth Sunday afternoon, dropping a 95-89 decision to the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center. Kobe Bryant scored 28 points and Gary Payton netted 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Lakers, who had their season-high 11-game winning streak halted. Shaquille O'Neal scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Karl Malone had 12 points in the setback. O'Neal had three blocks and has 2,086 for his career, tying him for ninth place on the all-time list with Manute Bol. The loss dropped Los Angeles one-half game behind Sacramento for both the top overall seed in the Western Conference as well as the Pacific Division. San Antonio made 7-of-15 shots from behind the arc (47 percent), while the Lakers connected on just 2-of-12 from three-point range (17 percent). Los Angeles lost for only the third time in its last 18 games and had its 10- game homecourt winning streak halted. The Lakers still own a league-best 22-5 mark since the All-Star break. Los Angeles won the season series 3-1. The Lakers have a day off before facing the Portland Trail Blazers at the Staples Center Tuesday night. For the year, the Lakers are 32-6 in their friendly confines. |
