TONIGHT

vs. San Antonio

7:30, TNT

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KLAC (570).

Records (2001-02) -- Lakers 58-24, Spurs 58-24.

Record vs. Spurs (2001-02) -- 3-1.

Update -- The Lakers beat the Spurs in five games in last year’s Western Conference semifinals and in four games in the 2001 Western Conference finals. Kobe Bryant was the leading scorer in seven of those nine playoff games and in all four of the regular-season games. That’s pretty good news for the Lakers, since Shaquille O’Neal is still recovering from off-season toe surgery and won’t be available for at least two more weeks. The Lakers also will be without starting small forward Rick Fox, who was suspended by the league for his part in Friday’s fight against the Sacramento Kings. The Spurs re-signed free-agent forward Malik Rose over the summer. Center David Robinson will retire after the season. Tim Duncan was the league MVP last season, when he averaged 25.5 points and 12.7 rebounds.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849.

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--Tim Brown