Sports News
Lakers Beat Clippers 106-88
Kobe Bryant didn't shoot the lights out but recorded a game-high 27 points as the Lakers put on a defensive clinic in the fourth quarter to keep the Clippers winless with a 106-88 decision.
Bryant shot 8-of-21 from the field and got contributions from Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher, who chipped in 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the 4-0 Lakers.
Andrew Bynum scored nine points and brought down a game-high 17 rebounds for the Lakers, who have beaten their intra-city rivals six straight times.
Al Thornton posted 22 points, and Tim Thomas netted 18 off the bench, but neither was a factor in a wretched fourth quarter for the Clippers, who have yet to win in five games to start the year.
Baron Davis added 17 points while battling foul trouble most of the game.
The Lakers drained 32-of-45 from the foul line, while the Clips struggled to get to the stripe, shooting at a 10-for-15 clip.
"We settled in defensively in the fourth quarter," Bryant said. "We tried to make them take tough shots. We just applied constant pressure. Even though we have games we don't shoot well, we play defense well."
A Cuttino Mobley three-ball and layup gave the Clippers an 81-79 lead with 8:15 remaining in the game, but the second-fiddle franchise proceeded to go scoreless for the next seven-plus minutes.
The Lakers had their way offensively down the stretch. Drives to the bucket resulted in free throws and kick-outs to wide-open three-pointers from Fisher and Odom.
The defending Western Conference champs made 12-of-16 from the charity stripe during a 22-0 stretch in the final quarter that easily put the game away.
"I was disappointed in our guys," Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy said. "Down the stretch the Lakers were tougher and we got softer. We played good basketball tonight. Our ability to carry it through was disappointing."
The Lakers, pitted as the home team in the lopsided battle of LA, trailed 29-27 after 12 minutes before rattling off eight points to open the second.
Thornton brought the Clips back by scoring seven consecutive points late in the second period to spark a 13-3 run, putting the underdogs ahead 51-47 at the break.
The lead exchanged hands five times in the back-and-forth third session, with the Lakers building a 72-68 lead heading to the final frame.
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