Lakers rout Spurs to take top spot in West Conference

The Los Angeles Lakers took sole possession of first place in the Western Conference and moved closer to being top play-off seed with a crushing 106-85 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. Kobe Bryant scored 20 points in three quarters of play...

The Los Angeles Lakers took sole possession of first place in the Western Conference and moved closer to being top play-off seed with a crushing 106-85 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

Kobe Bryant scored 20 points in three quarters of play to lead the Lakers, who grabbed a half-game lead over the idle New Orleans Hornets. Lamar Odom added 17 points and 14 rebounds and Pau Gasol had 14 points.

Only two consecutive wins by the Houston Rockets, coupled with a Lakers loss to the Sacramento Kings in their regular-season finale tonight, would stop Los Angeles winning the conference title.

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