Lakers Trounce Clippers

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 30, 1999 / 2:54 AM EST / CBS Sportsline

Some things never change with Los Angeles' NBA teams. The Clippers still can't beat the Lakers.

Except for a four-point deficit at the start, the Lakers dominated their crosstown rivals, winning 107-76 Friday night in the exhibition opener for both teams.

Chris Ford made his debut as coach of the Clippers, who have lost 11 of their last 13 meetings with the Lakers, including both games last season.

"When you go and ask the players, they know they went brain dead," Ford said.

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The teams will play again Saturday night at the Sports Arena in their final exhibition before the abbreviated 50-game season begins next Friday.

"It'll be a little harder tomorrow going to their court," Lakers coach Del Harris said. "The Clippers will play better."

While the Clippers were building their only lead of the game, the Lakers missed their first six shots. There were other signs of rustiness from the NBA lockout. Rick Fox's alley-oop pass intended for Eddie Jones sailed out of bounds and Kobe Bryant was called for a rare carrying violation.

Thirteen Lakers played at least 10 minutes each, giving Harris a chance to check out his rookies and newcomers.

"It was an opportunity for everybody to get some action," he said. "They were all looking forward to that after practicing against each other in two-a-days for a week."

Bryant, who earlier in the day signed a six-year contract extension worth about $71 million, led the Lakers with 19 points. Jones added 17 and Travis Knight had 14 rebounds. Shaquille O'Neal had 14 points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes.

"It was great because we're tired of beating up on ourselves," said Bryant, who admitted being a bit winded. "I'm glad w could beat up on somebody else."

Veteran Derek Harper had six assists in his Lakers debut.

"It was a fun game. We got off to a good start and rebounded well and that allows you to fastbreak and get easy baskets," Harper said.

Lamond Murray was the only Clipper in double figures with 24 points.

"Tonight was a wakeup call for a lot of guys who hadn't been in a real game situation, and that's what the exhibition season is for," Murray said.

The Clippers were without rookie 7-foot center Michael Olowokandi, who signed a three-year deal after arriving from Italy earlier Friday. Olowokandi was scheduled to join the team for a shootaround Saturday, but wasn't expected to play against the Lakers.

"We got him back earlier than we expected," Ford said of Olowokandi, who was released by his Italian team about two weeks earlier than expected. "We'll have some contact with him tomorrow and start to slowly wean him into our system."

Even diehard Lakers fan Dyan Cannon seemed bored, reapplying her lipstick when the Lakers' lead reached 26 points just before halftime. Until then, there were at least 16 empty seats around the court, an unusual sight for the most sought-after seating area. Despite free admission, the announced crowd was just 14,042 - short of the 17,005 capacity.

The fans sat quietly most of the game, although they did cheer when O'Neal made his first free throw of the season, followed quickly by his first miss.

They also got off their hands for a spectacular move by Bryant at the end of the third quarter. Harper stole the ball and fed Bryant, who completed a full turn before finishing with a one-handed dunk.

The Clippers never got closer than 22 points at the start of the second half and trailed by 35 early in the fourth.

"What we've been practicing every day of camp didn't carry over to tonight," Ford said. "Guys were anxious and they started to forget what we've been practicing as far as the defense is concerned. This is a building stage."