Photos: Clippers @ Lakers from the Staples Center on Jan 25th

About exactly a month ago, I was lucky enough to be able to attend a defining chapter in the beginning of a new rivalry. After picking up Chris Paul, the LA Clippers have skyrocketed up, both in excitement and in results. But the Clippers share their arena with another team in Los Angeles - a team that has a far more glittering past - the Lakers. Even with age catching up to them, Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, Metta World Peace, and the rest of the company are still quite a threat. On the other hand, Chris Paul brought along the charge with Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Caron Butler on his side.

The two teams played each other for the second time in the regular season on January 25th, 2012. It was a close and exciting game throughout, won 97-92 in the end by the big brothers - the Lakers - who were led by Pau Gasol and a clutch performance by Kobe Bryant, which overshadowed Griffin's bigh night.

Here are some photographs I clicked from the game (I was sitting way up in the highest pressbox!) and then later, from the Lakers locker room. I also wrote a detailed feature about this game and the growing battle of Los Angeles for my blog on NBA.com/India.

Pre-game National anthem... Here is the Staples Center!



Chris Paul leading the Clippers offense.



Blake Griffin trying to take on Pau Gasol 1-on-1



Kobe starting to takeover



Don't mess with World Peace!



Lakers locker room filled with media after the game



Pau Gasol getting interviewed postgame



And here he is, the Black Mamba himself... Kobe Bryant! I asked him if the Lakers and the Clippers are a rivalry now, to which he scoffed and answered, "Rivalries are only made in the playoffs!"