Lakers Vs. Spurs: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Look To Break San Antonio’s Spell

The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the many teams unable to solve the San Antonio Spurs this season. The Spurs are a league-best 51-11, having clinched a record 12th consecutive 50-win season earlier this week, and having most recently pounded the excellent Miami Heat by 30 points. Sometimes, it doesn't seem fair that the Spurs, who first won a title with Tim Duncan 12 years ago, and who have three titles in the last decade with this very core, are still this good. Kobe Bryant, of course, has led the Lakers to five titles in the last 10 seasons, but he has had a league MVP (Shaquille O'Neal) depart and a perennial All-Star (Pau Gasol) arrive in that span. For the Spurs, it's been -- as always -- Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

San Antonio's offense has famously exploded into a new dimension this season; over the last few seasons, the Spurs had quietly fallen into mediocrity on offense while the defense maintained its reputation. Gregg Popovich reformed the offense quite a bit in the offseason, and the Spurs are No. 2 in points per possession, no small feat. The defense, however, has slipped a bit, but is still quite strong at No. 7 in the league. Moreover, great offensive teams like the Heat and these very Lakers have still been unable to figure out how to score on the Spurs.

The Lakers haven't broken 90 points in two games against San Antonio. Back in December, the Spurs defeated the Lakers 97-82, with L.A. shooting just 35 percent from the floor and scoring about 0.85 points per possession -- truly dreadful on both accounts. In early February, the Lakers were better on offense, shooting 42 percent and averaging about 1 points per possession. But those figures are well below L.A.'s standard, and the Spurs were able to sneak a win on Antonio McDyess' clinching tip despite a mediocre offensive performance of their own.