Duncan leaps Spurs over Lakers

The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers haven't had many setbacks this season as they can lay claim to the NBA's best record. But the injury bug is biting the champs. First Pau Gasol was felled with a hamstring injury, and now Kobe Bryant is fighting a bad back. Kobe, sat out the fourth quarter due to back spasms as the Lakers took on the San Antonio Spurs.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) shoots  as San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan, left, and  Antonio McDyess (34) defend during the first  quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday,  Jan. 12, 2010, in San Antonio.(AP Photo/Eric  Gay)

In the first quarter, Bryant hit the turnaround jumper to put LA in front by eight. But, he would only attempt a season-low 10 field goals.

Moments later, Richard Jefferson rallied the Spurs back with an acrobatic layup. San Antonio led by four after the first.

Into the second quarter, Theo Ratliff's big block. George Hill finished the resulting fastbreak with an alley-oop with Manu Ginobili.