LATimes: With Kobe Bryant back, Lakers thumped by San Antonio, 121-97

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With Kobe Bryant back, Lakers thumped by San Antonio, 121-97 - latimes.com
With Kobe Bryant back, Lakers thumped by San Antonio, 121-97
All-Star guard, who had 18 points on seven-of-12 shooting, is not the problem. Lack of defense leads to the Spurs making 61% of their shots.
By Mike Bresnahan


SAN ANTONIO -- Kobe Bryant was back but the Lakers got thumped by the San Antonio Spurs, 121-97, on Friday night at AT&T Center.

Bryant missed seven games because of a sore left shin but he wasn't the problem Friday.

The Lakers' defense was shoddy at best, allowing San Antonio to shoot 61% from the field. Their offense was pretty shoddy too.

PHOTOS: Lakers vs. Spurs

Ramon Sessions had his worst game with the Lakers, missing seven of nine shots and scoring only five points with one assist. Pau Gasol was pretty much a no-show, scoring 11 points on four-for-10 shooting. Andrew Bynum had 17 points but only two rebounds in 30 minutes.

Bryant had 18 points in 30 minutes, making seven of 12 shots as the Lakers' lead over the Clippers fell to half a game in the push for third place in the Western Conference.

Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 21 points while Tony Parkerhad 20 points and 10 assists. Manu Ginobilihad 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds as the Spurs won the season series with the Lakers, 2-1.

The Lakers have two regular-season games remaining: Sunday at home against Oklahoma City and Thursday at Sacramento.