Spurs squeak past Lakers 96-94 in OT

(AP )
Updated: 2007-01-29 09:18

LOS ANGELES - Michael Finley's 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds left in overtime gave the cold-shooting San Antonio Spurs an improbable 96-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

Finley took a pass from Tim Duncan well behind the arc and hit nothing but net on his long jumper over Lamar Odom, helping the Spurs avoid their first regular-season sweep at hands of the Lakers in nine years.

Vladimir Radmanovic's 3-pointer as time expired didn't come close. Kobe Bryant, who had 31 points, six rebounds and seven assists, was unable to get open, leaving it up to Radmanovic to try the final shot.

The Spurs won despite shooting a season-low 33.7 percent (32-of-95). But they were 5-of-8 in overtime, when Tony Parker scored seven of his 19 points.

San Antonio entered having shot 47.4 percent with a low of 37.5 percent in a game against Charlotte in November.

Duncan led San Antonio with 21 points, 14 rebounds and a season-high nine assists. Manu Ginobili had 21 points and seven rebounds, and Finley scored 17 points for the Spurs, who have won nine of their last 12 games to improve to 32-14.

Odom had 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, Andrew Bynum added 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Radmanovic had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, 27-17 after their fourth loss in five games.

The Lakers shot 42.7 percent, but were ourebounded 53-44.

Duncan's layup with 20 seconds to play gave the Spurs a 93-92 lead, but Bryant's 20-foot jumper over Bruce Bowen with 7 seconds left put the Lakers on top, setting the stage for Finley.

Baskets by Radmanovic and Bynum on assists from Bryant to start the overtime gave the Lakers a four-point lead, but Parker scored seven straight San Antonio points before two free throws by Ginobili put the Spurs on top 91-90 with 1:13 left.

Bryant, who scored six points in the extra period, put the Lakers ahead again by making a jumper with 1:01 to go.

Bryant made two free throws with 5:09 left in the fourth quarter to give Los Angeles a 75-66 lead, but the Spurs scored 10 of the next 11 points on two 3-pointers by Ginobili, a basket by Duncan and two free throws by Parker to tie it at 76 with 1:19 to play.

A free throw by Odom gave the Lakers a one-point lead, but Bowen's first basket in seven attempts ¡ª a 3-pointer with 54.1 seconds to go ¡ª put the Spurs on top by two.

Ginobili made a foul shot to give the Spurs a three-point lead before Radmanovic's 3-pointer with 27.5 seconds left tied it at 80.

Robert Horry, who made several winning shots during his 6 1/2 seasons with Los Angeles, missed a 3-pointer over Bryant from the left corner with about 5 seconds left. The Lakers got the rebound and called a timeout before Ginobili blocked Bryant's potential winning 20-footer as time expired.

The Lakers led 67-57 entering the fourth quarter, and the Spurs were fortunate to be that close considering they shot 28.8 percent (19-of-66) in the first three periods. Parker and Ginobili were both 2-of-10 at that stage. Parker finished 6-of-17 and Ginobili wound up 5-of-16, but he went 9-of-10 from the foul line.



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