Clippers send Lakers to 0-3 start

A balanced offense, a deep bench and a burning desire to become the best team in Los Angeles were more than enough to carry the Clippers to a 105-95 victory Friday night at STAPLES Center, dropping the Lakers to 0-3 for the first time since 1978.

QUOTABLE: “We’re hitting the panic button now.” –Lakers guard Kobe Bryant

THE STAT: The Lakers played without eight-time All-Star point guard Steve Nash, who sat out with an inflamed lower leg. His absence showed in the lack of ball distribution. The Lakers managed just 15 assists on 34 field goals and committed 20 turnovers. No player on the Lakers had more than three assists. The Clippers, meanwhile, had 24 assists on 38 baskets, led by Chris Paul with 15.

TURNING POINT: Leading by four points with four minutes left in the third quarter, the Clippers ended the quarter on a 15-3 run. Clippers center DeAndre Jordan started the push with a one-handed dunk off a missed 3-pointer by Willie Green. The final dagger was a fast-break layup by Blake Griffin off a missed shot by Metta World Peace with 30 seconds left in the quarter, extending the lead to 82-66. Griffin had nine points, four rebounds and two steals in the deciding quarter.

TURNING POINT: Leading by four points with four minutes left in the third quarter, the Clippers ended the quarter on a 15-3 run. Clippers center DeAndre Jordan started the push with a one-handed dunk off a missed 3-pointer by Willie Green. The final dagger was a fast-break layup by Blake Griffin off a missed shot by Metta World Peace with 30 seconds left in the quarter, extending the lead to 82-66. Griffin had nine points, four rebounds and two steals in the deciding quarter.