Lakers defeat Spurs without Bryant, Bynum
Lakers 101, Spurs 89 (final)
The Lakers have played two games without Kobe Bryant now, 1 1/2 half games without Andrew Bynum, and they still have been successful.
Bryant missed his second straight game because of a sprained left ankle. Bynum missed the second half of the Portland game Saturday night and didn't play Monday night because of a right hip contusion.
After snapping a nine-game losing streak in Portland on Saturday night, the Lakers followed that up by defeating the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night at Staples Center without two of their key players.
Pau Gasol, the Lakers' other All-Star along with Bryant, was the man for a Lakers team that had five players score in double figures.
Gasol had a double-double with 21 points and 19 rebounds, three shy of his career high.
Gasol also had five blocked shots and eight assists.
-- Broderick Turner
Photo: Lakers forwards Ron Artest, left, and Lamar Odom pressure Spurs forward Antonio McDyess during the first half Monday night. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times