Kobe Bryant had nine points and two assists in the opening quarter, as the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are tied 28-28 after 12 minutes of play Monday night at the Staples Center in the NBA preseason opener for both teams. Chris Paul did not disappoint in his Clippers debut, scoring seven points and dishing out two assists. He made all three field goals, all at or near the rim as he had his way as usual with the Lakers' point guards.
Let the record show the first basket of the postseason came on a 23-foot jump shot by Bryant from the left wing 16 seconds into the game.
Steve Blake started at point guard on Monday in place of Derek Fisher, who was given the night off by head coach Mike Brown as Fisher gets back into game shape. Blake hit both of his field goal attempts in the first quarter, including a three-pointer, but left after six minutes after favoring his right ankle. Darius Morris, the Lakers' second round draft pick out of Michigan, was the backup point guard in the opening quarter and hit a long jump shot of his own.
Josh McRoberts made his mark early after his entry into the game. He took an alley-oop pass from Bryant and dunked it with 3:24 remaining, then on the next possession delivered a quick pass down low to Pau Gasol for the dunk.
Chauncey Billups added seven points for the Clippers.
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