Clippers 105, Lakers 95: Chris Paul had 18 points and 15 assists as the Clippers sent the Lakers to an 0-3 start for the first time since 1978 and spoiled a historic night for Kobe Bryant.
Jamal Crawford poured in 21 points to fuel another big effort by the Clippers bench, which outscored the Lakers reserves by a 46-16 margin. Blake Griffin (15 points), Caron Butler (14) and Eric Bledsoe (10) also reached double digits for the Clippers. Paul had as many assists as the Lakers' entire team.
Bryant erupted for 40 points and recorded two steals to surpass Magic Johnson as the new team record holder in in the category. While Bryant made 14 of 23 shots from the field, the rest of the Lakers combined for a 20-of-45 showing from the floor.
The Clippers led for the majority of the game and the entire second half, pulling away by as many as 14 in the fourth quarter en route to becoming the second straight opponent to hang at least a hundred points on the Lakers.
The Clippers also posted their first win as the designated road team against the Lakers since April 2007.
GAME NOTES: Lakers PG Steve Blake got the start in place of Steve Nash, who sat out with a leg bruise. Blake had eight points, two assists and three turnovers before fouling out. … Lakers C Jordan Hill, who has been battling a herniated disk, left with 10:22 showing in the second quarter and did not return. … Crawford, a former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, has produced more total points (50) in two games than the Lakers' entire bench through three (48).
L.A. Clippers | L.A. Lakers | |
Jamal Crawford 21 | Scoring | Kobe Bryant 40 |
Chris Paul 15 | Assists | Pau Gasol 3 |
Blake Griffin 8 | Rebounds | Pau Gasol 14 |
Jamal Crawford 9 | Free Throws Made | Kobe Bryant 10 |
Jamal Crawford 3 | Steals | Kobe Bryant 2 |
DeAndre Jordan 2 | Blocks | Dwight Howard 5 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
L.A. Clippers | 105 | 45.2 | 8-22 | 21-27 | 24 | 37 | 4 | 12 | 12 |
L.A. Lakers | 95 | 50.0 | 7-16 | 20-28 | 15 | 38 | 7 | 7 | 20 |