LOS ANGELES, April 28 (UPI) — Tony Parker put in 23 points Sunday and San Antonio cruised past the injury-depleted Los Angeles Lakers 103-82, completing a first-round playoff sweep.
Kawhi Leonard contributed 13 points with seven rebounds and DuJuan Blair came off the bench for 13 points and five rebounds for the Spurs, who eliminated the Lakers 4-0 to move on to the Western Conference semifinals.
They will next face the winner of the conference quarterfinal match between Golden State and Denver, which the Warriors led 2-1 going into Sunday’s Game 4.
Pau Gasol provided 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Lakers, who were swept in the first round for just the second time in franchise history — the only other sweep coming in 1967.
LA was playing without Kobe Bryant (torn Achilles tendon), Metta World Peace (left knee), Steve Nash (hamstring), Steve Blake (hamstring) and Jodie Meeks (ankle).
Dwight Howard scored seven points and grabbed eight rebounds before being ejected early in the third quarter following a second technical foul.
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