Lakers vault into West's top spot with rout of Spurs

Kobe Bryant scored 20 points, and Lamar Odom scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Lakers ripped the Spurs, 106-85, to vault ahead of idle New Orleans for first place in the Western Conference.

The Lakers, who edged New Orleans 107-104 on Friday, took a half-game lead over the Hornets for home-court advantage throughout the conference playoffs. The Lakers have one game left, at Sacramento on Tuesday.

The Hornets have two games remaining, at home against the Clippers on Tuesday, and at Dallas on Wednesday night. The Lakers own the tiebreaker over New Orleans, but the Rockets are only a game behind LA and a half-game back of the Hornets. Houston plays at Denver later Sunday night.

Pau Gasol added 14 points and 11 boards for LA, which has won three straight and seven of eight. Derek Fisher also scored 14 points for the Lakers.

Tony Parker scored 20 points and raked in seven rebounds for the Spurs, who have dropped three of five after winning eight straight. Tim Duncan scored 16 points and grabbed 12 boards for San Antonio, which fell to fifth place in the West, 1 1/2 games back of the Lakers, and a game behind the Hornets for first place in the Southwest Division.

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