LEAD: Clippers beat Lakers, give life to Los Angeles rivalry

By Chris Bernucca Jan 15, 2012, 8:21 GMT

Los Angeles - Now it's a rivalry.

The new-look Los Angeles Clippers proved they are a worthy foe to the Los Angeles Lakers, withstanding Kobe Bryant's fourth straight 40-point game and never trailing in a 102-94 victory Saturday night.

Chris Paul scored 33 points before leaving late with a hamstring injury and Blake Griffin added 22 and 14 rebounds for the Clippers, who have always played in the shadow of the Lakers but appear ready to challenge their supremacy.

'It's definitely going to take time if we're going to remove that label,' Griffin said.

Last month, the Lakers thought they had swung a deal for Paul, the All-Star point guard of the New Orleans Hornets. But Commissioner David Stern voided the deal because it did not help the Hornets, who are owned by the NBA. The Clippers then put together their own package for Paul and instantly became relevant.

The first meeting between the teams lived up to the hype. It was an intense affair, with five technical fouls and a handful of minor altercations.

Paul scored 11 points in the first quarter as the Clippers opened a 31-24 lead. Chauncey Billups had 11 more in the second period, pushing the margin to 55-42 at halftime.

Bryant exploded in the third quarter with 21 of his 42 points, including a three-pointer in the final minute that cut the deficit to 74-72.

'I took the responsibility to try and generate some energy and try to get us back in the game,' Bryant said.

But the Lakers got no closer. Paul answered with a layup to end the period and added two three-pointers in the fourth quarter to rebuild the lead to 89-78 with 8:11 to go.

'That's why he's the best point guard in the league,' Griffin said.

Paul made 12-of-22 shots and added six assists. With 4:01 remaining and the Clippers holding a 95-82 lead, he sat down with the injury and did not return.

'I don't know what happened,' Paul said. 'I thought it was a cramp.'

Bryant shot 14-of-28 but didn't get much help as the Lakers (9-5) had their five-game winning streak snapped.

Billups scored 19 points and Caron Butler added 13 for the Clippers (6-3), who held a 50-42 advantage in rebounds.

Spanish star Pau Gasol had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Andrew Bynum had 12 and 16 for the Lakers, who have their chance to get even with their rivals on Jan. 25.

Chicago 77, Toronto 64 =

The host Bulls won their fifth straight game behind Derrick Rose's 18 points and 11 assists. The Raptors were without injured leading scorer Andrea Bargnani of Italy.

Oklahoma City 104, New York 92 =

Kevin Durant scored 28 points and James Harden added 24 as the Thunder blasted the visiting Knicks for their sixth consecutive victory. New York was without injured leading scorer Carmelo Anthony.

Dallas 99, Sacramento 60 =

Jason Terry scored 21 points as the host Mavericks welcomed back Jason Kidd and cruised to their fifth straight win.

Philadelphia 103, Washington 90 =

Lou Williams scored 24 points and Andre Iguodala added 23 for the visiting 76ers, who swept the home-and-home series and have won eight of nine.

Indiana 97, Boston 83 =

Danny Granger scored 21 points as the host Pacers beat the slumping Celtics for the second time in nine days. Boston has dropped four in a row.

Houston 107, Portland 105 (OT) =

Kyle Lowry had 33 points and nine assists and Kevin Martin scored six of his 28 points in overtime for the Rockets. France's Nicolas Batum scored 29 points for the visiting Trail Blazers.

Atlanta 93, Minnesota 91 =

Ivan Johnson's two free throws with four seconds left gave the host Hawks their 11th straight win over the Timberwolves, who got 18 points, 12 assists and five steals from Spanish rookie sensation Ricky Rubio.

Utah 107, New Jersey 94 =

The Jazz improved to 6-1 at home as they spoiled the return of All-Star point guard Deron Williams, who shot just 3-of-15 with five turnovers.

Memphis 108, New Orleans 99 =

Spain's Marc Gasol had 20 points and 11 boards for the host Grizzlies. The Hornets have lost nine of 10 since a 2-0 start.

Charlotte 112, Golden State 100 =

Rookie Kemba Walker had a season-high 23 points and five assists in his first start for the host Bobcats, who ended a six-game slide. The Warriors have lost seven of eight.