Oden hurt in loss to LA
Foot injury KO's Blazers center
Kobe Bryant had 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists last night in Los Angeles to lead the Lakers to a 96-76 season-opening victory over the Portland Trail Blazers and spoiling Greg Oden's debut, which was cut short by another injury.
Bryant orchestrated a well-balanced offense for the Lakers, who also played tenacious defense.
Oden's highly anticipated NBA debut didn't last long; the 20-year-old center left the game late in the first half with an injured right foot after taking four shots and going scoreless.
He had five rebounds, one turnover, blocked one shot, and picked up two fouls while playing 12:51. He was injured while tracking a rebound with 9:20 left in the first quarter but limped his way through most of the first half.
The injury was diagnosed as a sprain and X-rays were negative. Oden will undergo an MRI today.
Oden, taken by Portland with the first pick in the 2007 draft, missed all last season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee.
Travis Outlaw led Portland with 18 points and Rudy Fernandez had 16.
The Lakers were in control of the game virtually from the start, but the Trail Blazers briefly made it interesting when they cut the deficit to 49-41 early in the third quarter. Bryant, however, hit a three, made a reverse layup, then sank four consecutive free throws to build the lead back to 17 points, and Los Angeles led, 72-53, heading into the final 12 minutes.
Los Angeles opened a 46-24 lead when Bryant pulled up and hit an 11-footer with 3:06 left in the second quarter and was up 49-34 at halftime.
Blazers guard Brandon Roy missed his first nine shots but finished 5 of 15 for 14 points.
Bulls 108, Bucks 95 - Derrick Rose elicited oohs, aahs . . . and groans, but Luol Deng and Ben Gordon provided enough big shots to lead host Chicago over Milwaukee.
Deng scored 21 points and Gordon added 18 to offset Michael Redd's 30.
Rose, the No. 1 draft pick out of Memphis, wowed fans with his quickness and strength but mixed in enough mistakes to remind them he is a work in progress. He had 11 points, 9 assists, and 4 turnovers.
Deng, who signed a six-year contract in the offseason, shot 8 for 13 and Gordon scored 10 in the fourth quarter, making new coach Vinny Del Negro's debut a successful one.
It was a rough night for the Bucks' Richard Jefferson, who was acquired in a trade with New Jersey. He scored 15 points but hit just 5 of 17 shots. 