Although the Lakers remained competitive throughout the game in terms of being within striking distance, the 18 turnovers turned out to be the straw that broke the camel’s back with the team unable to recover.
Steve Nash returned to the floor after an eight-game absence, but was rusty to say the least. The two-time NBA MVP finished with 16 points and only three assists, while shooting an uncharacteristic 6-15 from the field. Dwight Howard played well filling up the stat sheet with 20 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks, but failed to impose his will inside the paint resulting in Tim Duncan adding 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite being within striking distance throughout the game, Manu Ginobili hitting a pair of threes at the end of the third quarter, ultimately put the Spurs up by a considerable margin and sealed the deal for San Antonio.
Lakers Nation News
Mike D’Antoni Calls Kobe ‘Fan’ After Loss, Kobe Responds On Twitter
Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Tweets During Lakers, Spurs Game 1
Lakers Game Results: Spurs Beat Lakers, Take 1-0 Lead
Lakers vs. Spurs NBA Playoff Highlights: April 20, 2013
Lakers News: Nike Releases New Kobe Bryant Ad Following Achilles Injury
Lakers Rumors: Team Considering Amnesty Clause On Pau Gasol
Videos Of The Week: Kobe’s Out, Lakers Respond And Make Playoffs
Clippers Fans Hang Balloons On Magic Johnson Statue At Staples
Lakers News: Mike D’Antoni, Mitch Kupchak And Jim Buss Visit Kobe
Lakers News: Mike D’Antoni Predicts Kobe Will Be Ready By Opener
Lakers Tweets Of The Week: Lakers Face Spurs, Kobe Confident In Team
Lakers Play Of The Week: Kobe Showing The Heart Of A Champion
Lakers News
Lakers News: Steve Nash Will Start Game 1 Against San Antonio Spurs [Examiner]
Lakers Begin Playoffs With A ‘1996’ Vibe, And That Could Be Bad [LA Times]
For Lakers, It Will Be Go Big Or Go Home Against San Antonio [LA Times]
How Much Credit Does Coach Mike D’Antoni Deserve For Lakers’ Surge [LA Times]
Lakers Look To Push Reset Button In Playoffs [OC Register]
Lakers-Spurs: Follow Along With ‘Coach Kobe’ [OC Register]
NBA News
VIDEO: Nuggets’ JaVale McGee Posterizes Andrew Bogut [Sports City]
NBA Playoffs: Warriors’ David Lee Done For The Season With Torn Hip Flexor [Sports City]
NBA Playoffs Day 1 Recap: Nuggets’ Miller Makes Game-Winning Layup [Sports City]
NBA Playoffs: Bulls’ Derrick Rose Expected To Miss The Postseason [Sports City]
VIDEO: Knicks’ J.R. Smith Throws It Down Vs. Celtics In Game One [Sports City]
The Pass Melo Had To Make [SB Nation]
Deron Williams: Early-Offense Genius [SB Nation]
On Pastor Mark Jackson [SB Nation]
Aggressive Pacers Win With Offense, Knock Off Hawks 107-90 [Pro Basketball Talk]
Clippers Dominate The Glass, Dominate The Grizzlies In Game 1 Victory [Pro Basketball Talk]
Vinny Del Negro, When Asked If The Lakers Have A Shot Against The Spurs: ‘No’ [Pro Basketball Talk]
Deron Williams Dunks, Nets Throttle Limping Bulls [Pro Basketball Talk]