Clippers’ Paul Pierce isn’t holding onto dislike of Kobe Bryant

— Paul Pierce’s hatred for Kobe Bryant only goes so far.

They were career-long nemeses, especially when Pierce played for the Boston Celtics, but the Clippers forward signaled a softer side of the rivalry when he appeared in a Nike television ad bidding farewell to Bryant after 20 NBA seasons.

The ad, dubbed “The Conductor,” features Bryant sinking a buzzer-beating shot before leading a slew of conquered fans, opponents and mascots through a song detailing their dislike for the Lakers star.

About halfway through the spot, Pierce rises in a Celtics green T-shirt and croons, “My hate was growing stronger” before Rasheed Wallace adds “as you became a habit to me.” The ad also features former Lakers Coach Phil Jackson playing a keyboard alongside Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss.

Bryant played the final game of his NBA career Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz. As Pierce received a massage before the Clippers’ game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena, a pair of Bryant sneakers with 4-13-16 embossed in gold to commemorate the date sat in Pierce’s locker.

Pierce, who has mostly slogged through his 18th NBA season, has said he will decide whether to call it a career this summer. Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said he did not anticipate Pierce wanting a farewell tour similar to Bryant’s, particularly since he’s no longer playing with the Celtics, the team he spent 15 seasons with and led to the 2008 NBA title over Bryant’s Lakers.

“If he was playing with the Celtics,” Rivers said, “then [there] probably would be.”

Making his mark

It’s official: J.J. Redick owns the Clippers’ franchise record for three-point shooting, his 47.0% accuracy surpassing Eric Piatkowski’s 46.6% from the 2001-02 season. Redick also tied his own franchise record with 200 three-pointers.

Redick fell short in his bid to become the seventh player in NBA history to make 40% of his three-pointers, 50% of his field goals and 90% of his free throws. He made 48.0% of his field goals and 88.8% of his free throws.

Rivers said the bruised left heel Redick suffered in the first half against Memphis on Tuesday didn’t appear serious, but it might take a few days to know for sure.

“Those aren’t easy injuries,” Rivers said, “but I think he’ll be fine.”

Draft kings

The Clippers improved their second-round pick in the June draft by virtue of finishing without one of the NBA’s top five regular-season records.

That became official Tuesday night when Toronto defeated Philadelphia, giving the Clippers a conditional pick they acquired as part of their trade that sent Reggie Evans to the Brooklyn Nets in 2012.

The Clippers had the option to swap second-round picks in 2016 in the deal if they finished without a top-five record and will now get Brooklyn’s pick, which will be no worse than No. 34. The Nets will get the No. 55 pick that would have gone to the Clippers.

Picks that are high in the second round are coveted assets in the NBA because they come without guaranteed salaries. The Clippers also have a first-round pick this year.

Viewing habits

There was no question which game Blake Griffin, back in Los Angeles with the bulk of the Clippers starters, would watch Wednesday besides the regular-season finale involving his own team.

Would he watch Bryant’s final NBA game, Golden State’s pursuit of a record 73rd victory or the game between Portland and Denver to find who the Clippers would face in the first round of the playoffs?

“Probably all three,” Griffin said late Tuesday night.

It might not have been difficult to channel surf.

“Blake’s got four TVs in his basement,” DeAndre Jordan quipped.

ben.bolch@latimes.com

Twitter: @latbbolch