The battle for LA, Lakers vs. Clippers or, Lob City vs. the Lake show, the hallway series. Whatever name you have for it, understand that this is becoming a real rivalry.  The Lakers took this one to stop a 3-game losing streak 96-91. Pau Gasol scored 23 Points and 10 Rebounds and even got a little chippy with Chris Paul at the end of the game.

There was also another little shove at the end

I KNOW Kobe’s heart was busting with pride after that! Kobe led the Lakers with 24.

Chris Paul was asked about it following the game.

“He tried to touch the top of my head. I don’t like that,” Paul said after the game. “I got a son of my own. I don’t know if Pau got kids, but don’t touch the top of my head like I’m one of your kids. I don’t know what his intentions were, and it doesn’t matter. I don’t know if he’s got kids, but I’m not one of them.”

When Paul was asked why he tried to touch Gasol on his head, he said, “I went back and I tried to treat him like little Chris.”

“You’re a grown man,” Paul said. “I’m not going to put my hand on top of your head. They beat us, and that’s the story of the game.”

 Gasol, when he was told of Paul’s reaction, said he didn’t intend to disrespect Paul by touching his head.

“I’m sorry he felt that way,” Gasol said. “I do that all the time with my teammates. It’s OK. It’s like if I touch your shoulder or your back. There’s nothing mean about it, but it is what it is.”

Of course it’s not LA if there aren’t a few celebrities sprinkled into the mix. David Beckham, Chris Tucker and rapper The Game were all in attendance.