"Enjoy the break, and let's get ready for a big push in the second half of the season," Bryant said to the Lakers' crowd before the game.
Instead, Griffin roared out of the gate for the Clippers, scoring their first 10 points and making nine of his 10 shots. The Lakers erased much of the Clippers' early 16-point lead with a second-quarter rally led by Antawn Jamison, who scored 13 of his 17 points in the period while the Lakers pulled within three points.
But Billups led an 11-0 spurt late in the period and hit three more 3-pointers early in the second half.
"Blake was amazing in that first quarter, and I was just excited to see (Billups) on this stage in this big game," Paul said.
NOTES: Most of the Lakers wore red versions of Bryant's signature shoes in honor of Valentine's Day. ... The Clippers lost Lamar Odom in the second quarter when the longtime Lakers big man got poked in the left eye. ... The Lakers' Jodie Meeks converted a four-point play late in the third quarter. ... Larry David, Ellen Pompeo and Ellie Goulding attended the game.
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