Spurs defeat Lakers 91-79 in Game 1

SAN ANTONIO -- Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker each scored 18 points yesterday as the Spurs beat the Lakers, 91-79, in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series.

Tim Duncan added 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Ginobili hit a pair of three-pointers to give San Antonio a 70-57 lead to close the third. Ginobili was 6-for-13 from the field and 3-for-5 on threes.

Dwight Howard had 20 points and 15 rebounds, Steve Nash scored 16 points and Pau Gasol had 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers.

Despite the double-doubles from Howard and Gasol, the Lakers failed to take full advantage of their inside presence, much to the consternation of the injured Kobe Bryant, who was watching the national broadcast. "Post. Post. Post," Bryant tweeted in reference to the Lakers' offense.

Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni was asked if Bryant's tweets were appropriate. "Yeah, that's fine," he said. "He's a fan right now. He's a fan and you guys [the media] put a little more importance on that kind of fan, but he's a fan. He gets excited and he wants to be a part of it, so that's good."

Bryant responded by tweeting, "A fan?? Lol."-- AP