Kobe Bryant scored 33 points and Andrew Bynum added 26 on his 22d birthday as the reigning NBA champions opened defense of their title last night with a 99-92 victory over the Clippers, their Staples Center co-tenants.

The Lakers began the evening with a ceremony unveiling the franchise’s 15th gold-and-purple championship banner, earned four months ago by defeating Orlando in the Finals. Commissioner David Stern handed out diamond-encrusted rings to almost everyone on the LA roster except Ron Artest, who joined the Lakers in the offseason from Houston with the sole purpose of winning a gaudy bauble for himself.

Bryant was 11 of 12 from the line and had eight rebounds, while Bynum was 8 of 10 on free throws and had 13 rebounds.

Artest scored 10 points in his debut in the starting lineup. Pau Gasol sat out with a strained right hamstring and was replaced by Lamar Odom, who had 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Eric Gordon scored 21 points for the Clippers, who lost their ninth in a row to the Lakers. Chris Kaman added 18 points and 16 rebounds, and Marcus Camby had 14 points.

Wizards 102, Mavericks 91 - Gilbert Arenas had 29 points and nine assists, helping propel visiting Washington past Dallas.

Arenas shot 10 of 21 and made 8 of 9 free throws for his most points since Nov. 14, 2007. He played only 13 games that season, then had a total of 26 points in two games last season, all because of knee problems. He’s feeling so good now that he’s not even wearing a brace.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 34 points, but shot only 10 of 25. He was 12 of 13 from the foul line - all in the first half. Shawn Marion had 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks in his Dallas debut.

Trail Blazers 96, Rockets 87 - Reserve Travis Outlaw scored 23 points, helping Portland beat visiting Houston.

Brandon Roy added 20 points and five assists for the Blazers. Portland hit 20 of 22 free throws and outrebounded Houston, 51-33.

Aaron Brooks had 19 points for the Rockets, who defeated Portland in six games last spring in the first round of the playoffs.