Clippers send Lakers to 0-3 start with win

FridayOrlando  102-89    Denver     Cleveland  86-115 Chicago Atlanta   102-109 Houston Boston   88-99    Milwaukee New York  104-84 Miami Phoenix     92-89    Detroit

Sunday, November 04, 2012
A lone bright spot for L.A., Kobe Bryant is averaging more than 30 points on 61 percent shooting. Net photo.

FridayOrlando  102-89    Denver     Cleveland  86-115 Chicago Atlanta   102-109 Houston Boston   88-99    Milwaukee New York  104-84 Miami Phoenix     92-89    Detroit     LOS ANGELES -  The star-studded Los Angeles Lakers are off to their first 0-3 start in 34 years after a thrashing from the Los Angeles Clippers, whose younger stars are shining a whole lot brighter so far.So, Kobe Bryant, when is it time to push the panic button on this grand experiment? ‘’Now,’’ he said.Chris Paul had 18 points and 15 assists, Jamal Crawford scored 21 points and the Clippers beat the Lakers 105-95 Friday night to keep their Staples Center co-tenants winless.Bryant later said he was only joking about that panic button, but it’s tough not to worry about a team that still hasn’t walked off any court together with a victory.Bryant scored 40 points and Dwight Howard had 13 points and eight rebounds while battling constant foul trouble for the Lakers, who are 0-3 for just the fourth time in franchise history. Steve Nash sat out with a bruised left leg for the Lakers, who have followed up their 0-8 preseason with three losses in four days.The Clippers are no strangers to franchise turmoil, yet they coolly snapped a nine-game ‘’road’’ losing streak against the Lakers dating to April 12, 2007. Blake Griffin scored 15 points before fouling out and Caron Butler had 14 for the Clippers, who pulled away steadily in the second half.