Manu scores 20, Spurs spoil Kobe’s 81-pt anniversary, 108-95

The Spurs are still riding high, winning their 13th straight game after beating the Los Angeles Lakers, 108-95 on Friday at Staples Center. Lillard is averaging 29.5 points and 10 assists in this season’s two meetings and has scored 20 or more points in 10 of 13 career games against Los Angeles, including five 30-point outings. However, San Antonio’s Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard combined for 17 points in the first quarter and led San Antonio to a nine-point advantage at the 12-minute mark.

Bryant scored five points amid repeated reminders of his 81-point effort on this floor against Toronto, still the second-highest scoring performance in National Basketball Association history.

“When he gets it going, there’s not a whole lot you can do besides throw the kitchen sink at him”, Lakers coach Byron Scott said about Bryant’s record-setting night beforehand.

Notes LaMarcus Aldridge (back spasms) did not suit up for San Antonio. The Spurs would lead by as many as 25 points before the bench warmers skewed the score to a final tally of 108-95.

But all the focus centered on Bryant, who did not seem to surprise Spurs coach Gregg Popovich on his record-setting night 10 years ago. San Antonio outshot Los Angeles 47.7 percent to 39.5 percent in the first half. The Trail Blazers are playing the second contest of a seven-game homestand but it didn’t start well as they dropped a 104-98 decision to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

With the core consisting of young players such as Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell, there is a bright future for the Lakers if they can keep this group, but at the moment, their journey is all about the farewell of Kobe Bryant. You add his abilities and his competitiveness and you got quite a package…he was of the mindset that he wanted to be great. David West started in his place and scored eight points….

Lakers: Rookie F Larry Nance Jr. missed his third straight game with a sore right knee….

While Ginobili propelled a Spurs offense that shot 50.6 percent, Leonard paved the way on the other end with two steals and three blocks to complement his 18 points.