duncan
Tim Duncan had no problem scoring over Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard on Friday night. Reuters

Things have become more bleak for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Already missing superstar guard Kobe Bryant, the Lakers fell at home to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, 120-89. The Spurs own a commanding lead in the series, 3-0.

The Spurs were in firm control for much of Game Three. San Antonio led by 12 after the first quarter, and the Lakers looked like they were fortunate to still be in the game at halftime.

Tim Duncan, who turned 37 this week, was dominate. He scored 26 points on 12-of-16 shooting, and grabbed nine rebounds.

"I feel good," said Duncan, after the game. "I feel healthy."

Duncan credited the ball movement and the play of Manu Ginobili for the Spurs' current success.

Star point guard Tony Parker added 20 points on nine-of-14 shooting to go along with seven assists. Off the bench, DeJuan Blair converted all six of his shots.

The Spurs were red hot for much of the contest. San Antonio shot an outstanding 62.7 percent from the field. San Antonio also out-rebounded the home team, 49-35.

It wasn't all good news for San Antonio. Tiago Splitter left for the locker room in the second half with an ankle injury.

Staples Center spent much of the fourth quarter in church-like silence. Lakers fans were witnessing the largest deficit of the regular season and playoffs.

There were bright spots for L.A. The Lakers received a strong effort from their backcourt, who were filling in for injured regular starters Steve Nash and Bryant, as well as key reserve Steve Blake. Andrew Goudelock and Darius Morris combined to score 44 points on 17-of-31 shooting.

Pau Gasol recorded a triple-double with 11 points, 10 assists, and 13 rebounds.

The thin Lakers showed clear signs of a lack of depth, with the bench scoring just nine points on four-of-17 shooting. The reserves turned the ball over five times with only one assist.

The blowout loss doesn't bode well for the Lakers in Game Four, and are at risk of the dubious honor of not winning a playoff game. It has been over 30 years since the Lakers have been swept in the first round.

Earlier this week, Bryant said he would stop posting game comments on Twitter. Based on how Game Three ended, that was probably a wise decision.

Game Four will be at Staples Center on Sunday.