LOS ANGELES -- With no Kobe Bryant and Nick Young, the Los Angeles Lakers played a strong team effort to outlast the Detroit Pistons, 93-85, on Tuesday night at the Staples Center.
Seven Lakers scored in double figures led by Jordan Hill's 16 points. Wesley Johnson and Ed Davis had 13 each and Jeremy Lin finished with 12 and 7 assists. Wayne Ellington submitted 11 points while Tarik Black and Jordan Clarkson pitched in 10 apiece with Clarkson adding 8 dimes.
"We played good defense out there, espcially in the second half," head coach Byron Scott told reporters at his postgame press conference.
Despite the hard-earned decision, the win was bitter-sweet for the 17-46 Lakers, who were officially eliiminated from the playoffs after the 36-29 New Orleans Pelicans blasted the Brooklyn Nets, 111-91. It's the second straight season that the Lakers will sit out the postseason.
Kobe Bryant, who is recovering from a right rotator cuff surgery, sat on the Lakers bench and received a loud ovation when his image was shown in the arena jumbotron. He addressed the media prior to tip off and was optimistic in returning to good health for next season's campaign.
After allowing the Pistons to score 50 first-half points, the Lakers held Detroit to just 35 the rest of the way. The Pistons shot just 38.6 percent from the field overall and 8-of-36 from three-point range.
Greg Monroe made 10 of 14 shots to lead the Pistons with 24 points. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope drilled four 3s to finish with 15 points while Andre Drummond had 15 points and 21 rebounds.
With their seventh straight loss, the 23-40 Detroit Pistons dropped 5 1/2 games behind for the eighth and last playoffs berth in the Eastern Conference.
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