Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant had 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds, as the Los Angeles Lakers rolled over the Clippers, 117-79, at the Staples Center.
Derek Fisher scored 15 points, while Andrew Bynum tallied 12 points and nine boards for the Lakers, who opened the 2008-09 campaign on Tuesday with a 96-76 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Jordan Farmar collected 15 points, five assists and five rebounds off the bench.
Al Thornton ended with 16 points to pace the Clippers, who posted a dismal 23-59 mark last season. Newcomer Baron Davis poured in 11 points and dished out seven assists.
The Lakers held a slight 30-27 advantage after the opening quarter. Tim Thomas' slam put the Clippers on top, 33-32, three minutes into the second frame, but a Farmar running bank shot kick-started a 17-0 Lakers run. Trevor Ariza's three-pointer capped the spurt, giving the "visiting squad" a 49-33 lead with 4:09 to play in the half. Davis then sank a pair of free throws to end the stanza. and the Clippers went into the break down 59-44.
The Lakers' lead ballooned to 80-50 after Bryant drilled a jump shot with 3:20 remaining in the third quarter and the defending Western Conference champs carried an 85-57 advantage into the fourth.
The Clippers posed no threat in the final quarter and the Lakers coasted to the finish.
