Bryant Leaves an Imprint

The stunned expressions of the Clippers told the story of Kobe Bryant’s dazzling 50-point performance in Saturday’s 112-109 Laker victory.

Bryant scored 40 points in the second half, and the Lakers overcame a 13-point third-quarter deficit. He outscored the Clippers, 11-0, to begin the fourth quarter, stirring excitement and anger in the divided crowd at Staples Center.

“We put length on him, we put size on him and it didn’t matter,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “In the end, Kobe just made tough shots. He had a great night.”

Bryant acknowledged being irritated about all the talk of the improved Clippers, and he was determined to make a statement.

With small forward Corey Maggette sidelined, the Clippers had defensive problems against Bryant. Rookie guard Daniel Ewing began the game on Bryant, to little effect. It only got worse for guards Quinton Ross and Cuttino Mobley after halftime.

Maggette scored 21 points to help the Clippers defeat the Lakers in their first meeting this season, and Bryant, who missed 23 of 35 field-goal attempts in that game, had to work harder on defense than he did Saturday.

“We just couldn’t stop him,” forward Elton Brand said. “What can you say? He just had a great night.”

*

The Clippers, who have given up 118 and 112 points in losing their last two games, have struggled on defense while dropping nine of 12.

Dunleavy has used a three-guard lineup because of Maggette’s injury, and opponents have exploited the Clippers’ lack of size.

“What else can we do?” point guard Sam Cassell said. “We don’t have some of our key guys right now, so Mike has to do whatever he can to put us in the best position to hold up until we get Corey back.

“We know we’ve got a smaller lineup out there right now, and I’m sure these other teams know it too, but we don’t have any choice but to do it this way. Like I keep saying, we’ve got to play the hand that we’ve been dealt. This is our hand right now.”