Bad Start Makes for a Long Day

The San Antonio Spurs had owned the first quarter, tucked it away under their collective arms, one of several statistics emphatically in their favor in the first two games of the Western Conference semifinals.

Then came Sunday, a new day for the Lakers helped along by a surprisingly languid start by the Spurs.

The Spurs made six of 21 shots (28.6%) and Tim Duncan failed to score in the quarter, which the Lakers led, 28-16, on the way to a 105-81 victory.

“L.A. came out aggressive, they came out with a lot of energy and tonight we didn’t match that energy,” guard Tony Parker said. “We can’t come out and expect it’s going to be easy. We were not aggressive at all.”

The Spurs had been the early-game antagonists, holding a 21-14 lead after the first quarter of Game 1 and a 33-17 lead after the first quarter of Game 2.

But the Lakers were the stronger starters Sunday, earning assists on 11 of their 12 first-quarter baskets, well on their way to ending the Spurs’ 17-game win streak. The last Spur loss was March 23 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 47 days before Sunday.

“Finally we lost a game, so we’re going to get back on track on Tuesday and play with a lot more energy and a little more aggressiveness,” Parker said.

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Duncan, sensing the Olympic tide shifting in the wrong direction, said he would play for the U.S. team in Athens this summer.

Mindful that Kevin Garnett, Jason Kidd and Vince Carter are iffy possibilities at best, Duncan added his name to Team USA earlier than expected. Duncan said in March he would hold off on a decision until after the playoffs because of a tender left knee.

“Honestly, longer than playing in the NBA, going to the Olympics has been a dream of mine,” Duncan told reporters. “To have an opportunity not only to go, but to win a gold medal ... I want to be a part of that.”

Duncan did not play in the Sydney Olympics because of knee surgery in May 2000. Duncan, who missed nine games this season because of his knee, will find time to heal after the playoffs.

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Shaquille O’Neal had 28 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocked shots Sunday. The Spurs noticed.

“He looked like he was back to himself,” Parker said. “He played great defense and he was dominating on offense.”