| |
|
NBA - Lakers close in on playoffs berth
By Mohan Labra Ramchandani
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 16 Apr 2013
LOS ANGELES -- The L.A. Lakers are one game away from capturing the 8th and final playoffs berth in the Western Conference. The Lakers reached this point by narrowly edging the San Antonio Spurs, 91-86, Sunday night at the Staples Center.
The Lakers played without Kobe Bryant, who was lost for the season after blowing his Achilles Friday night against the Golden State Warriors. But center Dwight Howard carried Los Angeles on his shoulders with 26 points and 17 rebounds. Howard also made eight of 17 free throws.
Steve Blake also came up huge for the Lakers by finishing with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists. Blake, who started in place of the injured Steve Nash (right hamstring injury) sizzled from 3-point range, making four of eight attempts. Pau Gasol struggled mightily, missing 14 of 17 field goals for seven points and 16 rebounds.
San Antonio was held to just 33 of 89 field goals (37.1 percent) and got 23 points and 10 rebounds from center Tim Duncan. Danny Green pumped 16 and Gary Neal had 12. Tiago Splitter added 11 points and 10 boards.
The Lakers can enter the playoffs outright by beating the Houston Rockets Wednesday night at the Staples Center. (MR)
Photo: Dwight Howard after his 26-point 17-rebound output. (PhilBoxing photo by Mohan Labra Ramchandani).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Mohan Labra Ramchandani.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rene “Chulo” Santiago, Masataka Taniguchi Officially Make Weight for Friday’s Unified World Title Clash in Tokyo
, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Marlon Tapales and Yukinori Oguni Make Weight in Clash of Former World Champions
, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Taduran in high spirits ahead of title defense in California
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026Waiting to beat Floyd
By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 02 Apr 202620th Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on May 1
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026Can Tapales Overpower Oguni to Increase his Chances of Another World Title Fight?
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026BROWN-DUCAR PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S ALTRINCHAM FIGHT NIGHT
, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Wise Owl Boxing Makes Headlines Again with Signing of Former World Champion Julio Cesar “El Rey” Martinez
, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Santiago-Taniguchi Final Presser
, Wed, 01 Apr 2026Jimuel in Action on Friday!
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026“Rumble in the Une” Makes History in Union City with Star-Studded Fight Card Headlined by Jacob Macalolooy
, Wed, 01 Apr 2026Is Floyd chickening out?
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout
, Wed, 01 Apr 2026PBF president Almario dies
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026PH chess wizard seven-year old Noah Lucas Palcis finishes second in Bangkok chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 20262 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Wed, 01 Apr 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
, Tue, 31 Mar 2026ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV
, Tue, 31 Mar 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
, Tue, 31 Mar 202613-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
, Tue, 31 Mar 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
, Tue, 31 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
