Spurs Say Lakers’ Savvy Pushed L.A. Over the Top

Losing by one point in the final second of overtime would have been tough enough.

But coming that close to beating the team of the 1980s--and nearly taking this season’s four-game series from the Lakers--left the San Antonio Spurs looking for answers.

“You can tell the experience of the Lakers, and you can tell we have the young team,” said Spurs rookie David Robinson, who had his second triple-double of the season--23 points, 16 rebounds and 10 blocked shots--in Tuesday’s game. “I think we wanted it as much as they did, and we showed that enthusiasm.”

The Lakers’ Byron Scott hit a three-pointer in the final second to beat the Spurs 115-114. The victory gave the Lakers a split of the season series with San Antonio.

In the teams’ previous matchup, Jan. 29 at The Forum, the Spurs pulled out an 86-84 victory while Magic Johnson was out with the flu. The Lakers and Spurs split their first two games, each winning at home.

This marks the first time since 1983-84 that the Lakers haven’t won the season series outright. The Lakers predicted the battle with their Western Conference opponents isn’t over.

“The Spurs play this way every time, and they can beat anybody,” Johnson said. “Maybe it was both teams sending a message to the rest of the league.”

Lakers forward Orlando Woolridge agreed.

“The Spurs have a lot of talented players,” he said. “They are going to be tough in the playoffs. I think we will see the Spurs again, and it will be one tough series.”

Spurs Coach Larry Brown was somber after the loss but still praised his players’ effort.

“Considering who we were playing against, we just did a lot of tremendous things,” Brown said. “But they’re great. And they’re the best. The young kids ought to be pretty excited.”

The Lakers (38-12) have played in eight of the past 10 NBA Finals. In the past decade, only 10 Western Conference teams have beaten the Lakers in a season series.