Clippers are ripe for picking at end
SAN ANTONIO 86, CLIPPERS 83
They rally from an 11-point deficit but a three-point basket by Mason with 8.4 seconds left lifts the Spurs.

latimes.com
LAKERS FYI
Chicago isn't Detroit (the Bulls are only 5-5), but Kobe Bryant expects another tough, physical game against a 'gritty' opponent. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
Baron Davis played against former Golden State teammates Saturday; Clippers will face former teammate Elton Brand on Friday in Philadelphia. >>

LAKERS
Lakers' guards match up against quality point guards almost every night. So far results have been mixed. There's no letup this week, with Derrick Rose, Steve Nash and Chauncey Billups on the schedule. >>

AROUND THE NBA
He will have to sit out Tuesday's game against New York after hitting Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut on Saturday. >>

The lawsuit could imperil the Internet entrepreneur's bid to buy the Chicago Cubs. >>

OBITUARY
As the Lakers' general manager, Newell, who retired from coaching at 44, brought Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to L.A. in 1975. >>

November 17, 2008
LAKERS FYI
Lakers center, averaging only 9.9 points per game, vows to become more assertive in the low post. >>

NBA ROUNDUP
Dallas defeats the New York Knicks in overtime, with Dirk Nowitzki scoring a season-high 39 points. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
Familiarity was supposed to make things better, not worse, for the Clippers. >>

NBA
Amare Stoudemire had 29 points and 11 rebounds on his 26th birthday and the Phoenix Suns overcame Shaquille O'Neal's second-quarter ejection to beat the Detroit Pistons, 104-86, on Sunday night. >>

November 16, 2008
MEDIA
The cable network's witty promos have a great reputation, especially among athletes. >>

November 15, 2008
MARK HEISLER / ON THE NBA
With O'Neal in Phoenix, they'll be seeing a lot more of each other. >>

November 16, 2008
GOLDEN STATE 121, CLIPPERS 103
Rookie Anthony Morrow has 37 points for Golden State. Baron Davis scores 25 against his former team. >>

MEDIA
The best of the 'SportsCenter' commercials. >>

November 15, 2008
LAKERS FYI
Lakers provide little resistance in first setback and Jordan Farmar calls their effort 'disappointing.' >>

November 16, 2008
NBA ROUNDUP
Boston holds off Milwaukee, with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen scoring all the points in extra period. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
Old friends have switched teams, and they have a good time in reverse matchup. >>

NBA GAME OF THE DAY
All-Star scores 16 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter as Cleveland wins its seventh in a row. >>

November 15, 2008
BILL PLASCHKE
Mortals, we knew. >>

DETROIT 106, LAKERS 95
Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace score 25 points apiece as Detroit pulls away in the second half. >>

CLIPPERS
The coach calls it 'a great talk,' and the point guard says, 'In large part, it's my frustration of wanting to get us off on a winning track and reality setting in.' >>

NBA
The veteran knows it's a long season, so he remains on an even keel despite the team's fast start. >>

LAKERS FYI
His shooting hasn't improved, but he starts for the Pistons at center against the Lakers. >>

NBA GAME OF THE DAY
Denver beats defending NBA champion Celtics, 94-85, to improve to 4-1 since acquiring the veteran point guard in a trade with Detroit. >>

November 14, 2008
MARK HEISLER / ON THE NBA
With Allen Iverson in for Chauncey Billups, chemistry has been changed. >>

LAKERS FYI
Seven of their next eight games are at home, and only three of them are against teams with winning records. But there isn't complacency on the team. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
The guard will face his former teammates Saturday for the first time since joining the Clippers. I definitely want to win,' he says. >>

NBA GAME OF THE DAY
All-Star guard just misses a triple-double in a 110-99 win over the Nuggets. >>

NBA ROUNDUP
He scores 35 points in a 98-91 victory. >>

November 13, 2008
LAKERS 93, NEW ORLEANS 86
L.A. wins in New Orleans, 93-86, to improve to 7-0. Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher score 20 points for Lakers, who led by as many as 23 points in third quarter. >>

SACRAMENTO 103, CLIPPERS 98
They should have been able to compete against the Sacramento Kings, but fall after lethargic effort. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
Forward is activated before game with Sacramento and scores 12 points in 21 minutes. >>

LAKERS FYI
The coach says his star was doing too much at the end of the game as the Lakers were holding off the Hornets. >>

PRO BASKETBALL
The coach and former player, who grew up in Inglewood, says he's thought about the L.A. coaching job 'a lot.' He was NBA coach of the year last season for New Orleans. >>

NBA ROUNDUP
Paul Pierce's late basket wins it for Boston. >>

November 12, 2008
BILL PLASCHKE
The Clippers' biggest issue is not with other teams, but between their two most high-profile employees, Davis and Dunleavy trying desperately to figure each other out. At stake is everything. >>

LAKERS 106, DALLAS 99
The Lakers dig down on defense during the game's most important moments and improve to 6-0. >>

November 11, 2008
PRO BASKETBALL
He shuts down Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki in the second half, a key part of the Lakers' come-from-behind victory. >>

November 12, 2008
CLIPPERS FYI
Coach says New York Post report is off base but adds that Charlotte inquired about availability of the center. >>

LAKERS FYI
Although team owner Jerry Buss says the job is his as long as he wants it, the Lakers' 63-year-old coach is making no promises beyond this season. >>

NBA ROUNDUP
He reaches the figure for the third time in four games as the Cavaliers beat the Bucks, 99-93. >>

November 8, 2008
In an excerpt from the new book, "Madmen's Ball: The Continuing Saga of Kobe, Phil and the Los Angeles Lakers," author Mark Heisler writes about the start of their last season together. >>

November 12, 2008
NBA GAME OF THE DAY
He scores a career-high 27 points and has 17 rebounds as Atlanta beats Chicago, 113-108, to improve to 6-0. >>

LAKERS TONIGHT
L.A. will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back when it faces Hornets. >>

November 11, 2008
LAKERS FYI
Dallas traded for Jason Kidd in February, partly in response to Lakers' acquisition of Pau Gasol. But all Mavs have gotten so far is a first-round playoff exit and 19-21 record. >>

JERRY CROWE
Text messages from press row >>

LAKERS
The Lakers have gone to great lengths to shore up their defense from last season. Having a pair of 7-footers helps. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
Although still bothered by a bruised heel, the veteran center has a solid effort in the Clippers' first victory. >>

NBA REPORT
The Detroit Pistons, who had traded McDyess to Denver in the deal for Allen Iverson, are interested in reacquiring the power forward after the Nuggets let him go. >>

NBA RESULTS
Pierce scores 22 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter of Boston' 94-87 win over Toronto. >>

November 10, 2008
PRO BASKETBALL
Owner says he'll pay what it takes, in salary and luxury taxes, to keep the team in championship contention. Retaining Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson is a priority. >>

MARK HEISLER / ON THE NBA
What's Wrong With The Lakers? (First of a 10-part series.) >>

LAKERS 111, HOUSTON 82
They win their fifth straight to start the season, erasing early 16-point deficit and routing Rockets by 29. Their average victory margin is 22.4 points. >>

CLIPPERS 103, MAVERICKS 82
Baron Davis has 22 points and 10 assists and Al Thornton adds 17 points to give L.A. its first victory. >>

LAKERS FYI
Some physical play by Houston's Carl Landry brings out a more aggressive side to the Lakers forward. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
The bench numbers had been dismal in a bleak two weeks. During the Clippers' 0-6 start, their bench had been outscored by opponents' reserves, 243-135. >>

NBA RESULTS
Crawford scores 32 points in 107-99 victory over the Utah Jazz. >>

NBA GAME OF THE DAY
Boston Celtics beat Detroit, 88-76, as Iverson says he gets 'chillbumps' from the crowd's big ovation. >>

November 9, 2008
MARK HEISLER / ON THE NBA
Doing nothing has worked for Donald Sterling in real estate investment, and it just might be the right approach with his NBA team, despite its terrible start. >>

NBA COAST TO COAST
Tony Parker's injury adds to their problems. >>

LAKERS FYI
L.A.'s shooting percentage of 43.5% ranks 21st in the league. >>

NBA ROUNDUP
He scores the first eight points of the fourth quarter to ignite a 15-0 run in a 106-97 victory at Chicago. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
This time, it was a slow start, a good middle and a gasping-for-breath collapse in a 92-83 loss to the Rockets. >>

LAKERS
Houston has a winning record and three standout players in Yao Ming, Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady. >>

NBA GAME OF THE DAY
Returning from a one-game break, O'Neal also has 11 rebounds in 104-96 win at Milwaukee. >>

November 8, 2008
NBA ROUNDUP
Dwyane Wade has 33 points and 10 rebounds in a 99-83 victory at San Antonio. >>

LAKERS
With only one game this week, the All-Star guard has made sure to keep everyone from becoming complacent during the down time. >>

LAKERS FYI
Brian Cook is complaining, while Ronny Turiaf and Kwame Brown are off to slow starts. Marc Gasol is doing well at Memphis. >>

HOUSTON 92, CLIPPERS 83
Los Angeles is 0-6 to start the season. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
Clippers coach impressed after two lopsided defeats to the Lakers. >>

NBA GAME OF THE DAY
Detroit falls to Nets, 103-96, as Devin Harris scores 38 points to counteract 24 points for Iverson, who starts quickly but fades in the second half. >>

November 7, 2008
LAKERS FYI
He wrestled with the idea of being the team's sixth man, saying, 'It humbles you.' But by deferring to the decision-makers, he sees lots of playing time. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
Clippers' first-round draft pick isn't used to the decided drop off in playing time. >>

November 6, 2008
LAKERS-CLIPPERS FYI
Hall of Famer is thrilled about the presidential election and optimistic about this team. >>

LAKERS 106, CLIPPERS 88
Lakers use a 22-0 run in the fourth quarter to turn a deficit into their fourth consecutive win and Clippers' fifth loss. >>

MARK HEISLER / ON THE NBA
They appear to just go through the motions against the Clippers in a 106-88 win. >>

NBA ROUNDUP
He makes 17 of 21 shots as Phoenix defeats Indiana, 113-103. >>

NBA
Guard has a career high in double-overtime victory. >>

November 5, 2008
PRO BASKETBALL
After last week's romp over Clippers, they meet again >>

CLIPPERS FYI
Point guard and center-forward appear none the worse for wear after returning from injuries Monday night, a sliver of good news for winless Clippers. >>

LAKERS FYI
Coach wants every Laker to be ready to contribute, for however long he is needed. Luke Walton's playing time is way down from last season. >>

NBA GAME OF THE DAY
Ray Allen scores 29 to lead Boston to a 103-99 win at Houston. >>

November 4, 2008
BILL DWYRE
Former Lakers great has never been comfortable with the recognition that came from his success. >>

MARK HEISLER / ON THE NBA
Two seasons with 'A.I.' yielded early playoff exits, a big payroll hit and little else for Denver. Now, instead of letting him walk and starting over, it trades him for Chauncey Billups, taking on ano >>

UTAH 89, CLIPPERS 73
Baron Davis and Marcus Camby return but Utah still outscores Clippers, 24-13, in the fourth period on its way to a victory that extends L.A.'s winless start to 0-4. >>

LAKERS FYI
Wednesday's game against Clippers is Lakers' only game in an eight-day stretch. They say they're viewing it as an opportunity to iron out a few wrinkles in practice. >>

LAKERS
Lakers center strains rotator cuff during practice but says he will go against the Clippers on Wednesday. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
After making a strong impression Saturday at Utah, rookie point guard is rewarded when Mike Dunleavy puts him in the lineup Monday against Jazz. >>

NBA ROUNDUP
Thaddeus Young scores 18 points and Philadelphia defeats Sacramento, 125-91. >>

NBA GAME OF THE DAY
It is clear after beating Charlotte that it's going to take time for the Detroit Pistons to warm to the idea of Iverson as their teammate. >>

November 3, 2008
LAKERS FYI
He would like to see him get the ball more and be more integrated in the game, as his tendencies are the flip side of those of Kobe Bryant. >>

NBA GAME OF THE DAY
Former UCLA standout sparks comeback with consecutive steals and then scores the go-ahead basket in 88-85 win over Minnesota. >>

NBA ROUNDUP
He sprains his right ankle in the third quarter of Milwaukee's victory. >>

November 2, 2008
MARK HEISLER / ON THE NBA
They have stepped it up a notch with Andrew Bynum, but they still are left with the memory of a humiliating loss to the Celtics. >>

NBA
Comments by Mark Heisler: >>

LAKERS 104, DENVER 97
Bryant scores 14 of his 33 points in the final seven minutes and Lakers improve to 3-0 after their first big test on the road. >>

NBA ROUNDUP
at Indiana 95, Boston 79: Danny Granger scored 20 points to lead the balanced Pacers, who handed the defending champions their first loss. Paul Pierce made only three of 15 shots and Ray Allen was four for 10 for the Celtics. >>

NBA
Even machines disrespect Celtics. >>

CLIPPERS
L.A. drops its 11th straight game against the Jazz in Salt Lake City, 101-79. >>

LAKERS FYI
He can't get into a rhythm against the Nuggets in his first game after signing extension. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
His sore left hip takes him out of the lineup, and he's still nursing his sprained left ring finger. >>

LAKERS
They stop Nuggets when it counts and pull away in the fourth quarter. >>

NBA GAME OF THE DAY
New Orleans improves record to 3-0. >>

NBA
Celtics and Rockets clash on Tuesday. >>

November 1, 2008
LAKERS FYI
The 21-year-old center is happy and relieved about his four-year, $57.4-million contract extension, saying he wants 'to be a Laker . . . for life.' >>

DENVER 113, CLIPPERS 103 (OT)
Guard leaves because of a sore hip and Nuggets rally to win in overtime. >>

LAKERS
Both forwards are in the final year of their contracts. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
He jokes with former Denver teammate about playing, but his return is more likely Monday. >>

NBA ROUNDUP
Garnett becomes the youngest player in NBA history to play in 1,000 regular-season games, breaking Shawn Kemp's record. >>

NBA GAME OF THE DAY
Philadelphia runs away with a 116-87 victory as New York Knicks Coach Mike D'Antoni puts Stephon Marbury on the inactive list by mutual agreement. >>

October 31, 2008
BILL PLASCHKE
Mitch Kupchak is taking a risk that the young center's knee holds up and that he becomes a franchise player. >>

MARK HEISLER / ON THE NBA
The 21-year-old center gets his contract extension, just a few years removed from being known as a player who was out of shape and not interested in basketball. >>

LAKERS
The young center's contract extension is worth $57.4 million. He could have been a restricted free agent in July. >>

DIANE PUCIN / ON THE MEDIA
Burke will replace Michele Tafoya during NBA games. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
The players have a long closed-door meeting after the game, with new Clipper Baron Davis expressing his anger in no uncertain terms. >>

LAKERS FYI
He is represented by David Lee, who just helped Andrew Bynum sign an extension. Ariza, who faces negotiations next summer, has increased his all-around game. >>

NBA NOTES
There are expected to be more than 100,000 seats. >>

PRO BASKETBALL
Injured Marcus Camby isn't ready to return for L.A. >>

October 30, 2008
T.J. SIMERS
The Champs versus the chumps. >>

LAKERS FYI
With plenty of depth, they make it two easy victories in a row. >>

MARK HEISLER / ON THE NBA
Of course, nobody has ever won the NBA title only two games into the season. >>

LAKERS 117, CLIPPERS 79
Balanced team makes it two in a row, as Clippers are routed in their opener. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
Team struggles in its opener, getting blown out by the Lakers. >>

CLIPPERS
Though it was only their first game of the season, Davis says he doesn't want Clippers to have a losing attitude. >>

Lakers 117, Clippers 79
Kobe Bryant has 16 points and eight rebounds, Pau Gasol has 13 points, nine rebounds and six assists as Lakers cruise to victory. >>

NBA ROUNDUP
Former UCLA star scores 12 points and grabs nine rebounds in narrow win over Kings. >>

AROUND THE NBA
The rookie center was injured in his NBA debut Tuesday against the Lakers. >>

October 29, 2008
T.J. SIMERS
After Tuesday's win, the only question left is whether they will be distracted in next year's season opener. >>

BILL PLASCHKE
They incorporate defensive moves learned from their loss in Finals to Celtics in solid season opener against Trail Blazers. >>

Veteran guard, in his first season with the club, says he wants 'to do the work first before I take credit for anything.' >>

MARK HEISLER ON THE NBA
Resumption of serious hostilities between L.A. and Portland, and budding rivalry between Andrew Bynum and Greg Oden, is put on hold as only one team shows up on opening night. >>

LAKERS 96, PORTLAND 76
Kobe Bryant has 23 points and Pau Gasol has 15, all in the first half, as Lakers cruise past Portland. >>

LAKERS FYI
Young center struggles a bit against Trail Blazers. >>

PRO BASKETBALL
Reserves play key roles on opening night. >>

NBA GAME OF THE DAY
Defending champions hand out rings, raise their 17th championship banner, then open the NBA season with a 90-85 win over Cavaliers. >>

October 28, 2008
PRO BASKETBALL
Portland is poised to enjoy a new Blazermania, but without the wild guys from the first version. >>

PRO BASKETBALL / LAKERS PREVIEW
The flameout against Celtics in Finals has instilled an ambition to win it all this season. With a reloaded roster, it's certainly possible, but Lakers will also have a target on their backs. >>

LAKERS FYI
A day before Tuesday's season opener against Portland, the Lakers coach says he still hasn't settled on who will start, much less what his regular rotation will be. >>

PRO BASKETBALL / CLIPPPERS PREVIEW
There are lots of newcomers and lots of injuries in the exhibition season, leaving team at a loss when it comes to knowing what it can do. >>

MARK HEISLER / ON THE NBA
They never complain, they store any insults, go out on the floor and take it out on whatever team is there. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
His grandmother will be at Wednesday's game against the Lakers, and he takes a step in the right direction at practice as he recovers from sprained finger. >>

October 27, 2008
LAKERS FYI
After a summer of international competition, including the Olympics, Pau Gasol seems to have adapted flawlessly to his new NBA position, power forward. >>

CLIPPERS FYI
Point guard's sprained left ring finger keeps him out of contact situations in practice, and team still doesn't know whether he'll play in Wednesday's opener against Lakers. >>

October 26, 2008
NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW
The Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are a year older, but Boston's personnel and defense make it the top choice to win the NBA's Eastern Conference. >>

NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW
With Andrew Bynum adding a defensive element, this Lakers team could be better than last season's NBA Western Conference champion. But the competition again looks fierce. >>

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