Duncan’s Heroics Lead Spurs Past Lakers 103-91

San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Kwame Brown, left, during the first quarter of their game, played Wednesday night. San Antonio beat Los Angeles 103-91.

The Los Angeles Lakers better find a solution to their lack of an inside presence soon; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, like a lot of big men as of late, exploited the Lakers’ lack of a big man Wednesday; Los Angeles didn’t exactly help their cause by collapsing in the second half. When the smoke cleared, San Antonio came out with a 103-91 victory over the Lakers Wednesday.

Los Angeles took their biggest lead of the first half, thanks to a 14-4 run which would put them up 46-33 with 5:13 remaining in the half; before their second-half collapse, the Lakers held a 54-45 edge. San Antonio looked like a completely different team in the second half, starting with a 14-0 run - including 6 points from Duncan - grabbing a 59-54 lead with 5:39 left in the period. With the game tied at 61 with 4:18 left in the third quarter, the Spurs would go on a 15-5 run to close the quarter and take an insurmountable 76-66 lead.

San Antonio was led by Duncan with 28 points, 17 rebounds and 3 blocked shots; Ime Udoka from off the bench scored 18, including 3 treys, while Tony Parker pitched in with 16. Los Angeles was led by Kobe Bryant with 29 points with 12 rebounds and 5 assists, while reserve Ronnie Turiaf added 14 and 4 blocked shots; Lamar Odom recorded a double-double, scoring 11 while grabbing 12 boards. San Antonio (27-13) now travels to Miami to take on the Heat Thursday night, while Los Angeles (27-13) makes the short journey to Dallas to face the Mavericks Friday.