Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers raised their 15th championship banner as they tipped off a new National Basketball Association season with a 99-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

A plethora of Laker stars from the past turned out to help the defending champions collect their rings and unveil their new banner high in the rafters of Staples Center arena.

"It's a magical night," Bryant said on Tuesday. "The last time we really reminisce on past seasons so it felt good."

The Lakers were one of eight teams making their season debut Tuesday and in another key game, Paul Pierce scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lift Boston to a 95-89 win over the Cavaliers, spoiling the opening night for the new Cleveland duo of LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

Magic Johnson, Jerry West, James Worthy, Rick Fox and Robert Horry took their positions at centre court where they rubbed shoulders with current Lakers Bryant, Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher.

The Lakers also welcomed back Tex Winter, presenting him with his championship ring during a brief on-court ceremony at the end of the third quarter. The Lakers assistant coach Winter is still recovering after suffering a stroke six months ago.

"It is always tough to play these games after those kind of ceremonies. I think when you have that kind of ceremony and this kind of re-living the last year and you are not ready to step up and march to the tune of this season yet," Jackson said. "We got it back. We did okay."

Lakers rising star Andrew Bynum made his 22nd birthday a special one by scoring 26 points and hauling down 13 rebounds against the Clippers. Bryant led all scorers with 33 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

The win extended the Lakers win streak over the Clippers to nine straight and raised their record overall at Staples Center to 32-9 against the Clippers.

The Lakers and Clippers not only play in same city but they share the same building and while the game was a sellout, the crowd of 18,997 was decisively pro-Laker.

The Lakers played without forward Pau Gasol who was out with a strained hamstring.

Free throws were key Tuesday as the Lakers had 37 attempts from the line compared to just 16 for the Clippers.

Bynum was solid from the line stepping up when he had to and finishing eight of 10.

Lakers beat Orlando in five games in the finals last year for their 15th NBA title and they will be going after another title with the same basic group.

"We certainly have the talent to win another one," Bryant said.

The Lakers held onto one free agent in Lamar Odom but Trevor Ariza left to join the Houston Rockets. Odom had a busy offseason marrying reality television performer Khloe Kardashian but now says it is time to concentrate on basketball.

"We feel like we can play for the record of most wins in a season and win another championship," Odom said.

The Lakers hope to fill the void left by Ariza's departure with the addition of volatile forward Ron Artest who signed a five-year, 33 million dollar deal.

Artest struggled in shooting making just three-of-seven from the free throw line. "I'm motivated to win," Artest said.

The Clippers are hoping to erase memories of a dismal 19-win season last year.

But even before their season got off the ground Tuesday they received more bad when it was learned that first-overall pick Blake Griffin had suffered a broken knee cap and could be out for up to six weeks.

The Lakers led by 10 points (59-49) at the half then let the Clippers close the gap in the third before pulling away in the fourth quarter.

"We just played with a sense of enjoyment that carried us for the first half," Bryant said. "In the second half we had to get to the grind a little more."

Eric Gordon led the Clippers with 21 points against the Lakers.

Clippers Baron Davis said the game was close and he sees an upside to the season.

"Last year we got blown out but I think this year it is a different team," Davis said. "We really felt we could have won this game."

In Cleveland , reigning MVP James knocked down 38 points and had eight assists. O'Neal, a 15-time All-Star who was traded to the Cavaliers from the Phoenix Suns in the offseason, poured in 10 points and 10 rebounds in a rare home loss for the Cavs.

Last season, the Cavaliers won their first 23 home games, on the way to a 39-2 mark at home.

Dallas and Portland were also winners Tuesday.

Other Lakers Clippers News
Clippers News
Clippers vs. Lakers

Future Sports Star:

Kevin Love
Kevin Love has shown a skill level that is absolutely unheard of amongst big men in the college ranks-knocking down NBA 3-pointers with ease, putting the ball on the floor with either hand, using pump-fakes, spin-moves, jump-stops and creating his own shot with fantastic footwork. He's rebounding the ball well, throwing beautiful outlet passes, contesting shots around the basket, and even coming up with a few blocks on occasion.

•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 3 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 6 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 3 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 1 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•WCF Game 4 Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•WCF Game 1 Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bulls vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•NBA Finals Game 3 Preview: Magic vs. Lakers
•NBA Finals Game 1 Preview: Magic vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 4 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Rockets vs Lakers
•Playoff Game 3 Preview: Rockets vs Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Rockets vs Lakers
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 3 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Trailblazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Wizards vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Magic vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pacers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 6 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 4 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 3 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 1 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Game 5 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 4 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 1 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 5 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Game 3 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Lakers Head to Seattle Without Injured Bynum
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bulls vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs Lakers 12/05/07
•Preview: Timberwolves vs Lakers 12/04/07
•Preview: Nuggets vs Lakers 11/29/07
•Preview: Sonics vs Lakers 11/27/07
•Spurs vs Lakers Preview 11/13/07
•Preview: New Orleans Hornets at L.A. Lakers
•Lakers vs Rockets Preview 12/12/06
•Lakers vs Spurs Preview 12/10/06
•Lakers Vs Hawks Preview 12/08/06
•Lakers Vs Pacers 12/04/06
•Lakers Vs Clippers Preview 12/02/06
•Lakers vs Jazz Preview 11-30-06
•Lakers vs Bucks preview 11/28/06
•Lakers vs Nets preview 11/26/06
•Lakers vs Jazz preview 11/24/06
•Lakers vs Clippers preview 11/21/06
•Lakers vs Bulls preview 11/18/06
•Lakers Vs Raptors Preview
•Lakers Vs Pistons Preview
•Lakers Vs Grizzlies Preview
•Lakers Vs Pistons Preview
•Timberwolves Vs Lakers Preview
•Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview
• Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview
• Lakers Vs Warriors Preview
• Lakers Vs Suns Preview

Jordan Farmar news:
•Rookie Farmar says he's living Hollywood dream with Lakers
• Grizzlies challenge Farmar
• Stars come out at Camp
• NBA considerations distant memory for pair of eager Cats

Kobe Bryant news:
•Kobe Bryant apologizes to Lakers GM
•Kobe Bryant Wins Scoring Title
•Kobe has most popular jersey in USA, China
•Bryant Proves the Best
•Wade beats Bryant for another Skills Challenge win
•Memorabilia Offered by Kobe Bryant and Upper Deck
•Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Suspended
•Why did Kobe change to 24?
•Kobe Bryant: Won't Play This Week
•Kobe Bryant to Collab with Lil Wayne
•Lakers' Kobe Bryant ready for another run as NBA season nears
•Kobe Bryant Dunk Videos
•Kobe Bryant Videos
•Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07 for PlayStation
•Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07

Los Angeles news:
• Los Angeles news
•Los Angeles Concerts news
• Beckham Signs with Los Angeles Galaxy
• Top 10 Most Valuable NBA Franchise
• 10 Ten things to do in Los Angeles
• Lower back spasms from the court.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Restaurants.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Experiences

Staples Center news:
•Get up to the minute Los Angeles Concert tour news
•Garth Brooks To Play Staples Center Benefit Shows For Fire Victims
•Bon Jovi Staples Center
•Van Halen Staples Center Dec 14th
•Wild try to continue hot start in LA
•Hyundai Returns to X Games 13 Rally Car Racing
• Rumorville Eric Clapton to play the Staples Center
• Grady Brewer wins 'Contender 2' in a split decision over Steve Forbes
• Cirque comes the LA Staples Center

Phil Jackson news:
• Lakers coach Jackson fined US$25,000
• Phil Jackson to have hip surgery