CHICAGO -- The plug was pulled off the Los Angeles Lakers' misery-filled season Sunday afternoon when the San Antonio Spurs scored a 103-82 Game 4 blowout at the Staples Center.
With their fourth straight defeat, the seventh seeded Lakers are kicked out of the playoffs while the second seeded Spurs get plenty of rest as they await the winner of the showdown between No.3 Denver Nuggets and No.6 Golden State Warriors.
Tony Parker orchestrated the beatdown with 23 points while Kawhi Leonard and DaJuan Blair added 16 points each. Tim Duncan finished with 11 and six rebounds and the Spurs made 39-of-84 field goals and 5-of-16 threes. After a close 26-20 opening quarter, the Spurs pulled away in the second quarter and led by double figures the rest of the way.
"It was just a weird feeling. Obviously, I am happy we won, but it was just weird. They were missing a lot of guys, so we were just happy to go to the next round," Parker said of the Lakers, who were without Kobe Bryant. Steve Nash, Jodie Meeks, Metta World Peace and center Dwight Howard, who was ejected in the third quarter after getting his second technical foul of Game 4. .
"This is a good start for us. We like the pace we're at now We like the rhythm we're at right now. Hopefully, it can stay that way," Duncan told ESPN.com
Pau Gasol had 16 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers while Andrew Goudelock, who started at the point guard slot, had 14. Antawn Jamison had 12 and Chris Duhon tallied 11 for the Lakers, who made 36 of 76 field goals. (Homer D. Sayson)
Photo: Dwight Howard (R) and the Los Angeles Lakers were swept out the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs.
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