LOS ANGELES — The Clippers have a lot of healing and even more work to do to make the intra-city rivalry interesting again.The Lakers toyed with the Clippers on Sunday night after roaring to a hot start in which Chris Kaman was throttled by Lakers center Andrew Bynum. Kobe Bryant scored 32 points in 37 minutes in a strong effort despite his groin strain.
Bynum set a tone in the first quarter when the Lakers built a 28-11 lead before Kaman made his first field goal. The highlight of that sequence was Bynum blocking Kaman’s shot, then backing down Kaman at the other end with a basket after Kobe Bryant made sure to feed him. After Bryant committed a turnover forcing the ball to Bynum next time, Bynum assertively called for the ball next time down, too – and Derek Fisher found Bynum for an alley-oop slam.
Bynum wound up with 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and six blocks. Kaman rallied to get 18 points, but he shot 6 of 19 from the field; he came in shooting 50.2 percent for the season.
QUOTABLE
A chant rose up late in the third quarter at Staples Center, but it was a rare one not to cite Bryant. This one honored “American Gangster” star Denzel Washington, who showed up for a courtside seat: “Let’s Go, Denzel!”
MIHM FOR A CHANGE
Center Chris Mihm got back on the floor after a three-game layoff, playing the backup role that had gone to Ronny Turiaf lately.
DID YOU SEE THAT?
After Trevor Ariza nearly stole the ball, Clippers forward Corey Maggette recovered and banked in a one-handed shot-put launch to beat the third-quarter buzzer. The shot was listed as a 48-footer; Maggette let it go from in front of the Clippers’ 3-point line to cut the Lakers’ lead to 82-76.
NEXT
Lakers at Chicago, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, KCAL/9, KLAC/570
