Atlanta ? The Atlanta Hawks’ new star couldn’t slow Kobe Bryant.

The Hawks’ old smoking game clock didn’t have any better luck, only causing delays that gave Bryant time to rest and point the Los Angeles Lakers’ fast-break offense in a winning direction.

Bryant scored 37 points, including two drives to spark a 14-2 second-half run, and the Lakers spoiled Atlanta’s home opener, beating Joe Johnson and the Hawks, 103-97, Tuesday night.

On a night the Philips Arena game clock and shot clock rarely worked, the public address announcer had to call out the scores. Coach Phil Jackson and the Lakers laughed after the game about the often-comical attempts by Hawks’ management to keep the game moving.

There were several delays and reports of equipment smoking behind press row.

Asked if he had ever experienced a similar collapse of technology, a smiling Jackson said “It was probably here in Atlanta, the last time it happened.”

Los Angeles' Kobe Bryant drives to the basket as Atlanta's Josh Childress defends. The Lakers defeated the Hawks, 103-97, Tuesday night in Atlanta.

Some Los Angeles players joked the announcer kept an exaggerated slow count of the shot clock when the Hawks had the ball but raced through the count when the Lakers were on offense.

The scene reminded Bryant of summer league games in Philadelphia.

“I had no clue what the score was. It just made it a little harder to manage the game a little bit strategically,” he said.

Bryant topped the 30-point mark for the fourth straight game and had 37 for the second straight game – right on his NBA-best average of 36.3.

Atlanta, sparked by Johnson’s season-high 26 points, led 29-19 in the first quarter and 51-48 at halftime. But following the last tie at 63, Bryant scored on back-to-back drives to send the Lakers on the run that made it 77-65.

The Lakers kept the lead in double figures most of the rest of the game until the Hawks closed the gap late with Bryant on the bench.

With 7:54 to play, Bryant scored on a breakaway jam, drawing a foul from Hawks rookie Marvin Williams, to give him 37 points. With the Lakers’ lead at 12 points, Bryant sat out most of the final seven minutes.

Pistons 102, Kings 88

Sacramento, Calif. – Tayshaun Prince scored 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting, and Detroit snapped an eight-game losing streak in Sacramento. Chauncey Billups had 16 points and eight assists, and Richard Hamilton added 21 points and six rebounds for the unbeaten Pistons in their first win in Sacramento since Feb. 26, 1996.

Magic 76, Rockets 74

Houston – Steve Francis scored 27 points and had two assists to Jameer Nelson in the final two minutes as Orlando won for the first time in four games. The Rockets (1-2) lost their second straight without Tracy McGrady, who is out three weeks because of a back injury.

Grizzlies 94, Sonics 69

Memphis, Tenn. – Shane Battier and Pau Gasol each scored 20 points and sparked a third-quarter rally Tuesday night to lead Memphis over Seattle. Battier scored 13 points in the third quarter as Memphis built its lead to 68-51. Battier outscored the Sonics by himself until the final minute of the period. Meanwhile, Gasol had 10 in the quarter which Memphis closed with a 10-2 run.

Warriors 110, Bucks 103

Milwaukee – Baron Davis had 20 points and 15 assists, and Golden State went 13-of-27 from three-point range. Troy Murphy scored 25 points – including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.