Kobe leads Lakers past Wizards

Driving and dunking and dropping in a 3-pointer, Kobe Bryant delivered a game’s worth of highlights in the first quarter Sunday, outscoring the host Washington Wizards all by himself.

Then he let his Los Angeles Lakers teammates join in all the fun.

Bryant put up 19 points in the opening period on his way to finishing with 30, and the Lakers ran their offense so well there was no need for the newly acquired Pau Gasol, who is nursing a sore back, to don a uniform in a 103-91 victory over the Wizards.

Gasol, the 7-foot Spaniard who came over from the Memphis Grizzlies in a trade Friday, sat on the sideline in a pinstriped suit jacket, listening to tips on the Lakers’ triangle offense from assistant coach Brian Shaw.

The 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year’s new teammates compiled 27 assists on 41 field goals, with Vladimir Radmanovic scoring 15 points, Lamar Odom 14, and Gonzaga graduate Ronny Turiaf 13.

Pistons 90, Mavericks 67: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Rasheed Wallace backed up his talk with 21 points and nine rebounds, leading Detroit past Dallas.

Wallace said the Pistons had to take advantage of the undersized Mavericks by going inside, and he did.

The bombastic center scored over Dirk Nowitzki on a fadeaway late in the third quarter as Detroit pulled away, and Wallace had some more words for the Mavericks.

“He can’t guard me!” Wallace screamed toward Dallas’ bench.

The Pistons got solid contributions off the bench for the second straight game, including 11 points from rookie Rodney Stuckey (Eastern Washington University).

Notes

Caron Butler returned to the Wizards’ lineup against the Lakers after missing three games with a strained left hip flexor. He started and scored 15 points in nearly 39 minutes of action. … San Antonio signed point guard Damon Stoudamire. The addition gives the Spurs another option while Tony Parker nurses a left heel injury.