Bryant batters Spurs

O'Neal and Bryant scored 73 of LA's 104 points

Los Angeles Lakers 104-90 San Antonio

Kobe Bryant grabbed 45 points as the Lakers beat San Antonio in Saturday's opening game of the NBA Western Conference finals.

Shaquille O'Neal added another 28 for the reigning champions as the best-of-seven series got underway in San Antonio

Bryant scored 15 points in the third quarter and made 19-of-35 shots.

The Lakers' victory was their eighth in a row in the playoffs, and they have yet to lose in the post-season.

This team is hungry, they are experienced and playoff hardened"

  Lakers coach Phil Jackson

O'Neal said: "We're not going to let up. We've been on a mission the last 15, 16 games."

LA's star pairing of Bryant and O'Neal proved better than the Spurs' "Twin Towers", Tim Duncan and David Robinson.

Double-teamed repeatedly, Duncan collected 28 points and 14 boards while committing an uncharacteristic seven turnovers.

Robinson was limited to 14 points and 11 rebounds in 30 minutes.

Los Angeles went 18-14 ahead with just over two minutes left in the first quarter and never lost the lead.

The Spurs climbed within 31-30 on a jumper by Robinson 7:41 before half-time, but then O'Neal took charge.

"This team is hungry," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "They are experienced and playoff hardened."

The defeat was the first for the Spurs at home since 12 April. Game two takes place on Monday in San Antonio.