END OF THE ROAD: The Los Angeles...

END OF THE ROAD: The Los Angeles Lakers, winners of five NBA titles in the 1980s, will miss the championship series for the first time since 1986. The Phoenix Suns beat the Lakers Tuesday night, 106-103. It was Los Angeles’ earliest playoff exit in nine years. The Lakers, who posted the NBA’s best record in the regular season, were eliminated from the Western Conference semifinal in five games. The Suns will next play San Antonio or Portland. (C1)