SAN ANTONIO, April 21 (UPI) — Tim Duncan’s double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds Sunday sparked the San Antonio Spurs to a playoff-opening 91-79 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Tony Parker contributed 18 points, eight assists and three steals while Manu Ginobili shook off a strained hamstring to add another 18 points off the bench as the second-seeded Spurs jumped off to an early lead in their first-round Western Conference series.
The Lakers, meanwhile, fell without injured superstar Kobe Bryant, who was lost for the playoffs with a ruptured Achilles tendon late in the regular season.
Dwight Howard contributed 20 points and 15 rebounds while Pau Gasol donated 16 and 16 with six assists in the setback.
Steve Nash returned from an injury provide 16 points for the Lakers.
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