Lakers may be heading over horizon in West

In the showdown between the top two teams in the Western Conference, one thing was missing.

The showdown.

The Lakers ripped through the San Antonio Spurs, one of many prominent events in a 99-85 victory Sunday at Staples Center.

Andrew Bynum more than held his own against Tim Duncan, Jordan Farmar returned to action after a five-week absence, and the Lakers (an NBA-best 35-8) demonstrated the size of the gap separating them from their closest competitor in the Western Conference standings.

In fact, their six-game lead over the Spurs (29-14) might even be understated at this point.

The Lakers led by 21, held the Spurs to 37.5% shooting, and easily avenged a 112-111 loss nearly two weeks ago in San Antonio.

Bynum continued to be a factor down low, following up two strong games against undersized teams with 15 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots against the Spurs. Duncan had 15 points and eight rebounds, and did not block any shots in three more minutes of playing time than Bynum had.

The trickle-down effect was obvious.

“Oh, extremely,” said Kobe Bryant, who had 22 points. “You know we have three legitimate guys that they have to double-team, and that stretches the defense.”

The third guy would be Pau Gasol, who had 16 points, but the Lakers’ other big man was the story, yet again.

Bynum averaged 32.5 points and 14.5 rebounds in two recent games against the Clippers and the Washington Wizards, but having the Spurs in town meant a one-on-one matchup against Duncan, who was just selected to his 11th All-Star game.

Bynum answered his latest challenge at both ends of the court.

He was particularly effective in the third quarter, collecting nine points, five rebounds and two blocked shots as the Lakers extended a six-point halftime edge into a 79-66 lead entering the fourth quarter.

“I’m pleased,” Bynum said. “I am running the court a lot better right now. I am around the rim a lot more than I was before.”

Bynum seemed mildly irritated that some people opted for a wait-and-see attitude after his outbursts against the Clippers and Wizards.

“It’s a mind-set that you have to go out there with,” he said. “People were saying, ‘Aw, it’s the Clippers,’ and ‘Aw, it’s Washington,’ but it’s still an effort.”

The Lakers lost in San Antonio this month after a pair of late-game gaffes -- Derek Fisher fouled Roger Mason for a three-point play with 10.5 seconds left, and then Trevor Ariza was called for traveling.

There were no such blunders in the rematch.

The game had tilted heavily in the Lakers’ direction by the time the fourth quarter began. The final 12 minutes became a rest period for Duncan and Tony Parker (19 points), neither of whom played after the third quarter.

“It’s a long season and we weren’t going to win the game at that point,” Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich said.

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, knowing an opportunity when he sees it, followed suit by resting Bynum and Bryant the entire fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, Farmar had 14 points and two assists in his first game since suffering torn cartilage in his left knee on Dec. 19.

“We missed that tempo change in our ballgame,” Jackson said. “I think the effect [of Farmar’s presence] is to open games up and to put pressure on the defense, particularly while we have Fish and Kobe on the bench.”

Including last season’s playoffs, the Lakers have won six of their last eight games against San Antonio.

“It’s a hell of a team and it’s going to be a hell of a team for a long time,” Popovich said. “They’re young, athletic, long, deep, inside game, outside game. It’s a hell of a squad.”

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

The numbers are adding up for Andrew Bynum

The Lakers’ 21-year-old center has been dominant in their last three games -- victories over the Clippers (108-97), Washington (117-97) and San Antonio (99-85). A look at Bynum’s averages from those three games:

26.7

POINTS

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13.3

REBOUNDS

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2.7

BLOCKS

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63.0

FG PCT.

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29

MINUTES