Lakers run out of momentum in 91-85 loss to Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs outlasted the Lakers, 91-85, in a Tim Duncan-less, Kobe Bryant-less matchup that saw both teams struggling to score for most of the night.

Tony Parker scored 24 points on 12-18 shooting to lead San Antonio to a 2-0 start on the season.

The Lakers lost their first game at home, and second in a row to fall to 1-2.

GAME SUMMARY: Spurs 91, Lakers 85

Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 20 points and 11 rebounds as the team shot just 36.3% from the field. The Lakers missed 19 three-point attempts on 27 tries (29.6%).

San Antonio shot 40.4% from the field, but big baskets from Boris Diaw, Tiago Splitter and Parker pushed the Spurs ahead late.

Earlier in the game, the Lakers had a 15-point lead but it quickly disappeared after Xavier Henry sustained a forehead laceration in the first half that required nine stitches.

Henry later returned but scored just three points in 21 minutes, missing all six of his shot attempts.

Jordan Hill helped the Lakers climb back from a six-point deficit before the Spurs closed out for the victory. The Lakers next host the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night.

Spurs 63, Lakers 61 (end of third quarter)

The Spurs took a six-point lead in the third quarter, before the Lakers scored two final baskets including a buzzer-beating layup by Jodie Meeks.

Turnovers, missed layups, missed free throws, missed dunks -- it was not a pretty quarter of basketball.

The Lakers shot just 35% through 36 minutes. The Spurs slightly higher at 37%.

Tony Parker led all scorers with 20 points. Pau Gasol scored 15 points to lead the Lakers.

Lakers 42, Spurs 41 (halftime)

The Lakers extended their lead to 15 against the Spurs in the second quarter.

The momentum shifted after Xavier Henry took a hard fall, driving to the basket. He sustained what looked like a contusion to the forehead that bled profusely. After the training staff attended to him for a number of minutes, Henry stepped to the line to convert to free throws.

The Lakers called for time the next play, allowing Henry to run to the locker room — for stitches and maybe even a concussion test. Henry was back on the bench before halftime.

The Spurs resumed with renewed energy, closing the gap to a single point by the half.

The Lakers shot 32.5% from the field, missing 13 of 12 three-point attempts. The Spurs shot 36.7% from the field. Tony Parker led all scorers with 12. Pau Gasol had 11 for the Lakers.

Lakers 23, Spurs 16 (end of first quarter)

The battle of the Lakers vs. the Spurs without Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan did not start with an especially attractive first quarter.

Neither team shot well from the field but the Lakers climbed ahead by as many as nine before finishing with a seven-point lead.

Pau Gasol led all scorers with seven points as the Lakers hit 8-of-20 shots from the field (40%). If anything, it was the Lakers’ defense that impressed -- holding the Spurs to 25% shooting from the field.

Tony Parker was San Antonio’s top scorer with six points.

Pregame

The Lakers (1-1) host the San Antonio Spurs (1-0) on Friday night at Staples Center.

Tim Duncan is not expected to play after taking a Tony Allen elbow to the chest in the Spurs’ season opener against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Spurs probably will start Boris Diaw in his place.

After a strong opening night performance, the Lakers fell apart Wednesday while visiting the Golden State Warriors.

Catching the Spurs without Duncan would be an opportunity for the Lakers, even without Kobe Bryant (Achilles).

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Spurs.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.