Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers personally outscored the Washington Wizards in a breakout first quarter to lead his team to a 103-91 road win on Sunday.
Bryant claimed 19 of his 30 points in the opening period as the Lakers roared into a 30-15 lead.
"He's the best in the game right now, hands down," Wizards forward Caron Butler told reporters.
PHOTO: AP
"When a guy like that gets rolling, you are trying to stop one of the best players ever and we weren't able to," Butler said.
Bryant, hitting a variety of shots, connected on 10 of 15 field-goal attempts.
"He is playing magnificently," Butler said. "With the addition of Pau Gasol, they are going to be great."
Forward Gasol, acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, watched the game from the sideline. He is expected to play his first game for Los Angeles this week.
Four other Lakers joined Bryant in double figures with Vladimir Radmanovic getting 15 and Lamar Odom 14.
"I thought we caught them off guard a little bit," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said of his team's fast start.
"I like the rhythm with the change moving Kobe to the small forward position," Jackson said. "It has seemed to work well for us."
"We have grown a lot together," Bryant said. "We understand how to play with each other. Chemistry and knowing where guys are is the key. We were moving the ball almost blindly today."
Antwan Jamison led the Wizards with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Butler, returning to the lineup after a hip injury, added 15 points.
Pistons 90, Mavericks 67
In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Rasheed Wallace backed up his talk with 21 points and nine rebounds, leading the Detroit over Dallas.
Wallace said the Pistons had to take advantage of the undersized Mavericks by going inside, and he did.
Dirk Nowitzki had 15 points on 3-of-18 shooting and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks, who had their lowest scoring game of the season and worst shooting performance at 30 percent.
Tayshaun Prince scored 16 and Richard Hamilton scored all 10 of his points in the second half for the Pistons.
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