LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers raised their 15th championship banner as they tipped off a new National Basketball Association season with a 99-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Lakers were one of eight teams making their season debut Tuesday and in another key game, Paul Pierce scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lift Boston to a 95-89 win over the Cavaliers, spoiling the opening night for the new Cleveland duo of LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

A plethora of Laker stars from the past turned out to help the defending champions unveil their new banner high in the rafters of Staples Center arena.

Magic Johnson, Jerry West, James Worthy, Rick Fox and Robert Horry took their positions at centre court where they rubbed shoulders with current Lakers Bryant, Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher.

The Lakers also welcomed back former coach Tex Winter, presenting him with his championship ring during a brief on-court ceremony at the end of the third quarter. Winter is still recovering after suffering a stroke six months ago.

Lakers rising star Andrew Bynum made his 22nd birthday a special one by scoring 26 points and hauling down 13 rebounds against the Clippers. Bryant led all scorers with 33 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

The win extended the Lakers win streak over the Clippers to nine straight and raised their record overall at Staples Center to 32-9 against the Clippers.

The Lakers and Clippers not only play in same city but they share the same building and while the game was a sellout, the crowd of 18,997 was decisively pro-Laker.

The Lakers played without forward Pau Gasol who was out with a strained hamstring.