Pistons final score: Lakers pick up first win by dominating still winless Detroit, 108-79

The Lakers started the season 0-3 for the first time since 1978-79 and needed a win to "shut up" its critics. Beyond having Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, etc. to put people at ease, extremely lucky for LA, a far and away less talented team also struggling to start the season was in town Sunday night to lend a helping hand in righting the ship. The Lakers took what was given to them -- lots of turnovers, rebounds and points -- and dominated.

Save for a spirited 21-6 stretch by the Pistons' bench that scared Mike Brown into subbing Kobe, Howard and Gasol back into the game when the Lakers' lead was trimmed to, um, 24 with about 10 minutes left in the fourth (DLN!), it was all Lakers.

Lawrence Frank made a statement by benching the Pistons' starters all at once with about 5 minutes left in the third quarter and they sat, just as useless, for the rest of the game. Rodney Stuckey, who is now 1 for 23 to start the season, combined with Brandon Knight to shoot 1 for 14.

Jonas Jerebko, admirably so, never stopped playing hard and led the Pistons with 18 points.

The Pistons are now 0-3 to start the season for the third year in a row.