The Lakers lost their fifth consecutive game, falling 108-95 to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night at Staples Center.
The Spurs won their 13th in a row, pulling away in the fourth quarter after a relatively close game.
The Lakers fell behind by as many as 13 points in the first quarter before narrowing the gap to five in the second. By halftime, the Spurs had again pushed ahead by 13.
After the Lakers got back to within five in the third quarter, San Antonio had a double-digit lead heading into the fourth. A big night from Manu Ginobili helped the Spurs climb ahead by 25.
Ginobili led all scorers with 20 points off the bench, makng nine of 10 shots. Kawhi Leonard added 18 points for the Spurs, while Patty Mills had 15, Danny Green 12 and Tony Parker 10.
Kobe Bryant, on the 10-year anniversary of his 81-point game, scored only five points on two-of-nine shooting. Bryant did have a game-high six assists, but also the worst plus-minus at -15.
The Lakers were led by D'Angelo Russell with 18 points off the bench. He made eight of 10 shots. Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson added 16 points apiece, while Julius Randle added 12 and Roy Hibbert 10. Randle collected a game-high 14 rebounds.
The Spurs shot 50.6% from the field, 52.4% from three-point range (11 of 21) and 84.6% from the free-throw line (11 of 13). The Lakers shot 45.2%, 37.5% (6 of 16) and 72.2% (13 of 18), respectively.
San Antonio dominated fastbreak points, 28-9.
Forwards Larry Nance Jr. (knee) of the Lakers and LaMarcus Aldridge (back) of the Spurs sat out.
The Lakers (9-36) play again onSaturday night against the Trail Blazers (19-26) in Portland. The Spurs (38-6) are off until Monday, when they host the Golden State Warriors (39-4) -- in a matchup of the two best teams in the NBA.
Email Eric Pincus at Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.