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San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, center, puts up a shot past Los Angeles Lakers’ Julius Randle during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, center, puts up a shot past Los Angeles Lakers’ Julius Randle during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich watches the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich watches the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers’ Ivica Zubac, left, gets his shot blocked by San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers’ Ivica Zubac, left, gets his shot blocked by San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Antonio Spurs’ Jonathon Simmons is defended by Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram, top, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Antonio Spurs’ Jonathon Simmons is defended by Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram, top, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Antonio Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge, left, has his shot blocked by Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Antonio Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge, left, has his shot blocked by Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram, center, fights for the ball with San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, left, and Dewayne Dedmon during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram, center, fights for the ball with San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, left, and Dewayne Dedmon during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Thomas Robinson #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball in the first half of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on February 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Thomas Robinson #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball in the first half of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on February 26, 2017 in Los Angeles,
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Danny Green #14 of the San Antonio Spurs reaches for the ball as Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled by David Lee #10 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of the game at Staples Center on February 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Danny Green #14 of the San Antonio Spurs reaches for the ball as Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled by David Lee #10 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Danny Green #14 of the San Antonio Spurs blocks a shot by Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of the game at Staples Center on February 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Danny Green #14 of the San Antonio Spurs blocks a shot by Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of the game at Staples Center on February 26, 2017 in Los
After spending nearly a week out in Los Angeles, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was a little worried.
“We’ve been here four or five nights and I’ve had lunches and dinners and wine every day until I can’t wait to get out of (the arena),” he said. “I need to go dry out, both food and alcohol-wise. I’ve had a ball. It’s been great. I just hope half the team shows up today.”
Popovich’s worries were laid to rest early.
The Spurs led the Lakers by 16 after one quarter, cruising the rest of the way to a 119-98 win at the Staples Center.
Kawhi Leonard scored 16 points in the first quarter, matching his career high for a single period. He finished with 25 points in 25 minutes.
LaMarcus Aldridge (16 points, 11 rebounds), Dewayne Dedmon (11 points, 9 rebounds) and Tony Parker (8 points, 9 assists) narrowly missed recording a double-double.
Coming off the bench for a second straight game, Pau Gasol chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes.
The Spurs capitalized on the young Lakers’ miscues, converting 19 turnovers in 25 points.
Lakers rookie Brandon Ingram scored a team-high 22 points on 10 of 15.
The Spurs(45-13) closed their annual rodeo trip with four straight wins and finished with a 6-2 record on the trek. They have posted a losing record only once since the yearly excursion began during the 2002-03 season.
On Wednesday the Spurs will host the Pacers in their first game at the AT&T Center since Feb. 2.
That should give Popovich just enough time to dry out.
nmoyle@express-news.net
Twitter: @NRmoyle
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