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GAME: San Antonio Spurs (17-4) at L.A. Lakers Lakers (12-8)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, December 13 - 10:30 PM EST
SPREAD: Los Angeles -5.5 TOTAL: 197

San Antonio didn't get much from Tim Duncan to beat the Los Angeles Lakers last month. The Spurs haven't been getting any production from their star in recent games.

With Duncan expected to be sidelined again, the Spurs look to avoid losing two straight for the first time this season when they visit the Lakers on Thursday night.

Duncan has missed three straight games with a sprained right ankle sustained in a win over Portland on Dec. 2, and is expected to miss at least one more contest. Duncan - averaging 17.6 points and a team-high 8.9 rebounds per game - was in uniform against Golden State on Tuesday night, but Matt Bonner again took his place in the starting lineup and San Antonio 's five-game winning streak came to end with a 96-84 loss.

The defending NBA champion Spurs (17-4) haven't lost consecutive games all season. They won their first matchup with Los Angeles (12-8) this season 107-92 on Nov. 13, although Duncan shot 2-for-13 and finished with five points.

San Antonio won that game partly due to an outstanding effort on offense and defense from Bruce Bowen. The team's defensive star isn't known for his work on the other end of the court, but he had a season-high 23 points and helped hold Kobe Bryant to 18 points - well below the 27.2 points he's averaging on the season.

Bonner had a strong performance off the bench against the Lakers, finishing with 15 points, and he led the Spurs with career highs of 25 points and 17 rebounds Tuesday. Bonner shouldered the load on offense with Duncan out and leading scorer Manu Ginobili struggling.

Ginobili, averaging 20.8 points per game, was held to 13 on 4-for-14 shooting after recording consecutive 37-point performances.

"Manu had a difficult night - 82 games, people are people," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "They are not machines."

Bryant, meanwhile, is coming off a 28-point effort to lead Los Angeles to a 123-113 win over Golden State on Sunday night.

It was the Lakers' third straight win, but Bryant believes they are "playing well enough to keep our heads above water."

"I think the key for us is to keep getting better, believe we can get better," he said.

With Los Angeles ' Kwame Brown having missed 11 straight games with injuries to his left knee and ankle, Andrew Bynum has been starting and playing well.

The 20-year-old center matched a career high with 20 points and also had 11 rebounds and five blocked shots versus the Warriors. Bynum is averaging 12.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in nine games as a starter.

Luke Walton, meanwhile, didn't play Sunday because of the sprained right ankle he suffered during practice Friday. His status for Thursday's game is uncertain.

The Lakers' bench, though, got healthier with the return of Ronny Turiaf, who missed two straight games with a concussion. The third-year forward had 10 points in 10 minutes against Golden State .

The game will be the first for Phil Jackson since signing his previously announced extension on Wednesday. It's believed to be a two-year deal worth about $24 million.

This will be the last of consecutive home games for Los Angeles , which will play five of its next six on the road. San Antonio has won eight of its last 10 road games against the Lakers.

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Brandon Rush
Full name is Brandon L. Rush... Born July 7, 1985... Undecided major... Brother, Kareem, was a two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection at Missouri in 2001 and 2002 and has played four seasons in the NBA... Brother, JaRon, played collegiately at UCLA... Was ranked No. 13 overall and No. 2 small forward, behind KU teammate Julian Wright, by Rivals.com... Brandon Rush pulled out of the NBA draft in summer of 2005 and joined the KU team in August... Twice named an all-star at the Reebok ABCD Camp and was the 2004 ABCD Camp most valuable player while playing for AAU KS Rocktown... Brandon Rush was a late addition to the USA Men's Junior National select team at the ninth annual Hoop Summit in Memphis, Tenn., following the 2004-05 season.

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Check out Jrue Holiday, the 6-3 sophomore shooting guard from North Hollywood (Calif.) Campbell Hall, one of the elite guards in the west, regardless of class...

Jrue Holiday, the 6-3 sophomore shooting guard from North Hollywood (Calif.) Campbell Hall, is seen here in action from a CIF playoff game last week.

Jrue Holiday is #21 in white, not to be confused with his older brother, 6-6 junior Justin Holiday, who is #22.

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DeMarcus Cousins is a big PF who averaged 26 pts, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, 70% FG and 80% FT per game as a freshman in high school last year. DeMarcus Cousins has developing post moves, is an excellent rebounder, and a solid athlete. DeMarcus Cousins' ability to overpower players gives him a very high ceiling. DeMarcus Cousins has a 7'3" wingspan and 9'0" standing reach. DeMarcus Cousins is very raw. DeMarcus Cousins needs to work on his footwork and decision making mostly. DeMarcus Cousins offense is coming along fine, but he needs to become more of a leader on defense. DeMarcus Cousins consistency is also a problem against top competition.

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