Kobe Bolts To Europe Before Lakers' Final Game Against Spurs
SAN ANTONIO (CBSLA/AP) -- Just before the Lakers wrapped their worst season while in Los Angeles , Kobe Bryant took off early to start his vacation in Europe. He also went to twitter to express his feelings towards the season before beating the Spurs in the final game of the season.
S*** season. Flush it. Forget it #amnesia Next Season will be epic #blackout #bussfam
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 16, 2014
Jordan Hill had 18 points and 14 rebounds and the Lakers closed their worst season since they moved to Los Angeles with a 113-100 victory over the San Antonio on Wednesday night.
Nick Young scored 16 points and Kendall Marshall added 15 points to help Los Angeles close the season with a two-game winning streak.
The Lakers (27-55) are expected to look dramatically different next season after finishing with their worst record since moving to Los Angeles. Coach Mike D'Antoni and veteran forward Pau Gasol are among those whose futures with the team are in question after the Lakers missed the postseason for just the third time since 1977.
Kawhi Leonard had 14 points to lead San Antonio, which will make its 17th straight postseason appearance after clinching the West's top seed for the third time in four years.
San Antonio (62-19) had an opportunity to match its best record, but no Spurs played more than 27 minutes to rest in preparation for defense of their conference title. Austin Daye had 13 points in 14 minutes and Tiago Splitter, Tony Parker and Cory Joseph had 12 points apiece.
Spurs veterans Tim Duncan and Marco Belinelli both sat out the game for rest.
San Antonio was listless throughout much of the game, but its 9-for-28 start had more to do with missing open shots than Los Angeles' defense. The Spurs were 10 for 29 on 3s, having numerous shots bound off the side of the rim.
Hill flourished with Duncan out of the lineup, dunking twice and having a tip follow while going 3 for 5 to open the game.
NOTES: Duncan missed seven games this season with all but one for rest. The exception was when he sat out the team's second game of the season, a victory over the Lakers on Nov. 1, with a bruised chest. . Lakers G Steve Nash (nerve root irritation) worked out before the game, but did not play. . San Antonio Stars guard Kayla McBride, the No. 3 overall pick in Tuesday's WNBA draft, was introduced during the opening quarter.