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Lakers and Clippers have some decisions to make after exits before postseason

That's the first thing you noticed outside Staples Center on Wednesday afternoon, shortly before the NBA ended early in Los Angeles for the first time in 13 years.

There were no balloons. There was no music. There were none of the usual festivities that decorate Chick Hearn Court before a basketball game in April.

Inside, the Lakers and Clippers were preparing to finish the first season since 2005 that neither team has made the playoffs.

No raucous Sunday afternoon games in late April. No late and loud Friday night games in May. A weird, empty, silent spring.