Lakers down Spurs for second win without Kobe (Reuters)


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – .

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled together to win their second straight contest without Kobe Bryant with a 101-89 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday..

Pau Gasol had a versatile effort with 21 points, 19 boards, eight assists and five blocks while Lamar Odom had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the defending NBA champions..

Los Angeles (40-13) were not only without Bryant, who has missed two straight games because of an injured left ankle, but starting center Andrew Bynum was also missing because of a hip ailment..

Despite a good start, the Spurs (29-21) could not take advantage and slumped to a third defeat in their last five games, Manu Ginobili getting 21 points and Tony Parker 20 in the losing cause..

San Antonio scored the game's first nine points and led by six after the first but the Lakers overhauled them and had a 50-47 lead at halftime. The Lakers then stretched the advantage and surged early in the fourth to go up by 11..

(Reporting by Jahmal Corner, editing by Nick Mulvenney)

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