Bryant holds key to the city

The Clippers owned the title to the town last May, a lengthy second-round series with the Phoenix Suns turning attention away from that other local NBA franchise for a solid two weeks.

Then came Tuesday night, and the Lakers, after fielding questions about the Clippers’ emergence for the better part of two days, reestablished themselves with a 105-101 victory at Staples Center.

It might only be temporary -- the teams meet again a week from Saturday with a Clippers’ logo at center court -- but the Lakers improved to 8-3 and are perched atop the Pacific Division standings, alone and unencumbered after a rough-and-tumble effort.

Kobe Bryant had 40 points on 12-for-23 shooting, adding five assists and five rebounds to complete his most dominant game since off-season knee surgery. Kwame Brown had 10 points, 14 rebounds and was a difference-maker in the final three minutes, blocking Corey Maggette’s shot attempt, making two free throws -- a reason for him to celebrate, given his shaky past at the line -- and finding Luke Walton for a layup.

The Lakers now lead the all-time series, 127-43, although the gap has been closed, with the teams splitting the last two seasons with two victories each. The Clippers finished two games ahead of the Lakers in the standings last season and also went further in the playoffs.

Round one, game one of the new season goes to the Lakers.

“We’re up one count in this rivalry we have with the Clippers,” said Phil Jackson, who improved to 20-5 against the Clippers as the Lakers’ coach. “Next time we see them, it’ll be their home-court chance and we’ll have to find a way to battle them out.”

It will be easier for the Lakers if Bryant continues to improve.

Bryant was the story of the first quarter, scoring 20 points on seven-for-11 shooting as the Lakers took a 27-25 lead. His circus shot was the play of the second quarter, an off-balance reverse layup that spun into the basket as he was fouled. He made the free throw for the third of only three points he would score in the quarter.

“I felt great,” Bryant said. “I really felt good. There was no doubt in my mind.”

For the first time this season, the familiar M-V-P chant could be heard at Staples Center, starting faintly with a few minutes left in the third quarter and picking up in intensity with 12.8 seconds to play as Bryant’s free throw gave the Lakers a 104-99 lead.

“The thing I looked at, is he had one turnover tonight,” Jackson said. “The decisiveness is evident in that. He’s making his moves much quicker without hesitation and that changes it considerably.”

The Lakers pounded the Clippers on the boards, taking 22 offensive rebounds to 15 for the Clippers.

“It was tough,” said Clipper forward Elton Brand, who had 20 points and 15 rebounds. “They got a lot of offensive rebounds and the turnovers, you just can’t do that. And then down the stretch, when you’ve got a guy like Kobe who can hit big shots, you just can’t put yourself in that position.”

Bryant made a driving layup with 2:40 to play and then hit a floater from the right side to give the Lakers a 100-94 lead with 55.1 seconds to play.

Beforehand, Jackson insisted the Lakers took the Clippers seriously.

“The last time we didn’t think this team was for real was probably the game that Shaq [O’Neal] got 62 [actually 61] on them in ’99 or 2000,” Jackson said. “Since that time, they’ve steadily become a more competitive team. At that time, the Lakers’ talent level was considerably higher than theirs.”

But Jackson chafed when too many compliments appeared to be thrown in the direction of the Clippers.

“Let’s not get carried away here,” Jackson said.

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

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KEYS TO THE GAME

* Kobe Bryant looked fresher than any other time this season, making 12 of 23 shots and scoring 40 points.

* With Andrew Bynum in foul trouble, Kwame Brown had 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers.

* The Lakers had several important rebounds and took 22 offensive rebounds to only 15 for the Clippers.

--MIKE BRESNAHAN