Playoff first roundSundayBoston      97-90    New York     Knicks lead series 3-1     Milwaukee  77-88     Miami     Heat win series 4-0     LA Lakers  82-103 San Antonio     Spurs win series 4-0     Golden State  115-101 Denver     Warriors lead series 3-1LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Lakers were swept out of the NBA playoffs 4-0 by the San Antonio Spurs, the empty Staples Center courtside seats in the closing moments of the 103-82 Game Four defeat symbolising an ignominious end to an inglorious season.In his final game before unrestricted free agency, Dwight Howard scored seven points before getting ejected in the third quarter for arguing.Pau Gasol had 16 points for the Lakers, who were swept from the postseason for the second time in three years. Almost as Nicholson left, Kobe Bryant arrived. On crutches.Tony Parker scored 23 points and Tim Duncan 11 points and six rebounds for the second-seeded Spurs, who will face the winner of Denver’s series with Golden State in the second round. The Spurs will get plenty of rest after flattening the Lakers in their first opening-round exit since 2007.