LAKERS STAKE CLAIM AS BEST IN THE WEST BY DISMANTLING SPURS

Kobe Bryant led five Los Angeles players in double figures, as the Lakers downed the San Antonio Spurs, 99-85, in a matchup of two of the Western Conference's top teams. Andrew Bynum finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won four consecutive games. Trevor Ariza added 17 points, Pau Gasol 16 and Jordan Farmar 14 in LA's win. The Lakers and Spurs came into the contest leading their respective divisions -- Los Angeles atop the Pacific and San Antonio in front in the Southwest. But the Lakers came...read full article