LOS ANGELES--The San Antonio Spurs scored a masterful 120-89 drubbing of the Los Angeles Lakers, moving a win away from advancing into the second round of the Western Conference playoffs Friday night at the Staples Center.
Tim Duncan led the Spus with 26 points and nine rebounds while Tony Parker had 20 points and seven assists. San Antonio led by as many as 33 points and pounced at a Lakers team that had six players in the injured list.
Kobe Bryant and Steve Blake have been placed in the inactive list while superstar guard Steve Nash didn't suit up with a strained right hamstring. The Lakers hope to have him on Sunday's Game 4 at Staples Center. Down 0-3, the Lakers now need to beat the No.2 seeded Spurs four in a row to qualify to the next round.
The Spurs bench scored 46 points and gave match-up problems for the Lakers all night. The L.A. reserves scored only nine points while starter Metta World Peace was held scoreless and without a rebound in 17 minutes of play.
Dwight Howard finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds. He was also called for a technical foul and sat out the last three minutes of the third quarter. Pau Gasol chipped in 11 points and 15 rebounds. (SD)
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