Slam Dunk Central

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The San Antonio Spurs accomplished two things Sunday night in their game against the Los Angeles Lakers.? Firstly, their main scoring threat from off the bench, Manu Ginobili, finally broke out of his series-long scoring slump.? Secondly - and most importantly - San Antonio managed to keep a sizeable lead as they manhandled Los Angeles 103-84 at AT&T Center.?

Things looked promising initially for the Lakers as Kobe?Bryant dunked past Tim Duncan, putting Los Angeles up 15-8; however, the Spurs’ Ginobili would hit consecutive 3-pointers to get his team to within a point.? But Ginobili wasn’t quite finished; he would drain a trey 4 1/2 minutes into the second quarter which would put the Spurs up 33-30, then he would convert a 3-point play which would make it 36-32.? Ginobili would then proceed to drain his 5th three-pointer of the night with less than a minute to go in the first half; San Antonio took a sizable 49-39 lead into halftime.?

Duncan would pick up where Ginobili left off as he would hit 2 jumpers with less then 2 minutes remaining in the third quarter in addition to a basket by Ginobili which would give San Antonio a 12-point cushion going into the fourth quarter.? The Spurs would open the final period by going on a 12-4 run and?Tony Parker’s layup would give them a 20-point advantage with a hair over 8 minutes to play; but the Lakers’ Bryant took over as he would hit 4 three-pointers over a span of less than 2 1/2 minutes, bringing Los Angeles to within 88-76 with 5 minutes to go in the game.?

Duncan would respond with a 3-point play which?put San Antonio up by 15; Ginobili’s 3-point play with 3:26 to go put the Spurs up for good 97-78.? San Antonio was led by the aforementioned Ginobili with 30 points, including 5 three-pointers, 2 rebounds and an assist while Duncan scored 22 with 21 rebounds, 5 assists and a block; Parker added 20 with 3 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal.? Los Angeles was led by Bryant with 30 points, including 4 treys, 5 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals while Pau Gasol scored 15 with 5 rebounds and an assist.? Despite the win by San Antonio, Los Angeles holds onto a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals.? Both teams meet again in San Antonio on Tuesday at 9:00 PM EST.